Portugal honour Jota by handing shirt number to close friend Neves

Diogo Jota will be remembered by Portugal as Roberto Martinez confirmed Ruben Neves will wear his close friend and former team-mate’s No.21 shirt.

Martinez and Portugal are preparing for their first international fixtures since the death of 28-year-old Jota, who was killed alongside his brother Andre Silva in a car crash in northern Spain on July 3.

Midfielder Neves, who played alongside Jota at Wolves and for their country, was one of the pallbearers at his funeral and accompanied his wife to the tributes at Molineux against Manchester City.

Neves will continue to honour Jota by wearing the former Liverpool and Portugal forward’s shirt number, Martinez confirmed at Friday’s press conference to announce his international squad.

“This is the first working camp without Diogo Jota,” Martinez said. “We know what Diogo meant to each of us, the impact he had on our lives. We want to honour his memory every day.

“He will be with us and be another force in achieving our goals. Diogo Jota’s example is a light for us. We will carry his spirit in our hearts.

“We will win for Diogo, for his brother Andre, and as always, for all Portuguese people.

“In this new journey to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, the number of players is 23 + 1, which is Diogo.”

Nesta Qualificação, somos 23+