By Kwame Bediako
Liverpool have unveiled plans for a permanent memorial at Anfield to honour former forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who died in a car crash in the Spanish province of Zamora on 3 July 2025.
The tribute, titled Forever 20, will stand on 97 Avenue outside the stadium, in the same area where fans left thousands of scarves, banners, and floral tributes after the brothers’ deaths.
Design and symbolism
The centerpiece of the memorial is a flowing heart‑shaped sculpture, inspired by Jota’s trademark goal celebration, a pose that became one of the most recognisable images of his time at Liverpool.
The design will also feature the brothers’ shirt numbers, 20 for Jota and 30 for André Silva, who played for FC Penafiel, alongside lyrics from a chant that supporters sing in the 20th minute of matches: “He will take us to victory, his name is Diogo.”
The heart‑and‑number motif is meant to reflect the deep bond between the siblings and the emotional connection fans felt with both men.
Materials and fan involvement
Liverpool says tributes left by supporters have been recycled and incorporated into the stone base of the structure, giving the plinth a “fan‑made” dimension.
The memorial will sit on a laser‑engraved Granby Rock‑faced stone base carrying a formal dedication to the brothers, making it a physical and emotional focal point for fans visiting Anfield. The club has not yet announced the exact date of the unveiling ceremony but has pledged that further details will be released in due course.
Jota’s legacy at Liverpool
Diogo Jota joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 and went on to score 65 goals in 182 appearances, helping the club win the Premier League, FA Cup, and two League Cups.
The Forever 20 memorial is designed to keep his memory embedded in the club’s identity, ensuring that future generations of supporters will encounter the story of Jota and his brother whenever they walk to a match at Anfield.
