'ideal Person To Represent Him' - Neves Given Jota's 21 Shirt

The number 21 garment worn by nan precocious Diogo Jota for Portugal has been passed to his adjacent friend and erstwhile team-mate Ruben Neves.

Liverpool guardant Jota died astatine nan property of 28 successful a car clang successful bluish Spain successful July, alongside his relative Andre Silva, 25.

Al-Hilal midfielder Neves, 28, who played alongside Jota astatine Wolves - arsenic good arsenic for their state - was 1 of nan pallbearers astatine his funeral.

"The number 21 jersey will spell to Ruben Neves because, that way, that number will stay connected nan section and pinch each of us," said Portugal head Roberto Martinez.

"He had a very adjacent narration pinch Diogo and is nan perfect personification to correspond him."

The Portugal squad will clasp their first campy without Jota adjacent week arsenic they hole for World Cup qualifying games against Armenia and Hungary.

In their past lucifer successful June they hit Spain connected penalties to triumph nan Nations League, pinch Jota coming connected a substitute and Neves scoring nan winning penalty.

Martinez added: "We cognize what Diogo meant to each of america and nan effect he had connected our lives. We want to honour his representation each day. He will beryllium pinch america and will beryllium different unit helping america execute our goals. Diogo's illustration is simply a ray for us. We will transportation his tone successful our hearts.

"Diogo's absence is simply a facet of unity, information and responsibility, because Diogo wanted to triumph nan World Cup, and we are present to conflict and execute that dream."

Liverpool won a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title past play pinch Jota wearing nan number 20 shirt, which nan club decided to retire aft consulting pinch his woman Rute Cardoso and family members.

Brighton midfielder James Milner is wearing nan number 20 shirt this play arsenic a "mark of respect" to his erstwhile Liverpool team-mate.