LISBON (AP) — Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves will put on the No. 21 jersey of his late pal, Diogo Jota, throughout video games for the nationwide group and has revealed a tattoo on his left calf in honor of the previous Liverpool striker, who died in July.
“I and the complete nationwide group will do every little thing we are able to to maintain Diogo right here with us, on our group,” Neves stated late Tuesday at a ceremony at Portugal’s coaching base held forward of the group’s World Cup qualifiers towards Armenia and Hungary.
They’re Portugal’s first matches because the demise of Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, in a automobile accident on July 3.
Neves, who performs for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, was very near Jota — they performed collectively at English membership Wolverhampton and Portugal — and spoke on behalf of the Portugal squad about his former teammate on the ceremony, which was additionally attended by Cristiano Ronaldo, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Luis Montenegro, the just lately appointed prime minister.
The Portuguese federation posted a video on X of Neves with a tattoo that exhibits him embracing Jota, who was sporting the No. 21 jersey.
@rubendsneves_ 🔗 Diogo Jota 🤍 pic.twitter.com/d3HwJTwYIw
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) September 2, 2025
Tuesday’s ceremony additionally was a tribute to Jorge Costa, the previous Portugal worldwide who died final month of cardiac arrest.
Pedro Proenca, president of the Portuguese Soccer Federation, described Jota and Costa as males “who cherished soccer; who cherished their nation; who cherished their nationwide group; males who defended, with braveness and dedication, the colours of our flag.”
Jota and Costa have been posthumously honored as Commanders of the Order of Advantage and awarded medals, which have been accepted by relations.
The federation stated the squad was made up of “23 (+1)” gamers — in one other nod to the reminiscence of Jota.
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