As Jota’s former clubs met for the first time since his death, his two sons, Dinis and Duarte, and other family members led the two teams as mascots on Saturday.
It was an emotional sight as they all adorned the number 20 on the back of their Liverpool shirts as they walked out of the tunnel with Virgil van Dijk.
Jota’s wife, Rute, watched from the sidelines and later written an emotional post on social media thanking everyone for their outpouring of support ‘during this incredibly difficult time’.
Alongside images of her two sons and daughter at Anfield, Rute wrote: “From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank the club and all the fans for the love, respect and support they have shown during this incredibly difficult time.
“Your messages and gestures have meant more than words can express.”
It was a day to remember Jota on Saturday, with Liverpool and Wolves fans singing their respective songs for him, and Ryan Gravenberch hosting Jota’s baby shark party after his goal.
Virgil van Dijk ‘honored’ to go out with Jota’s sons
And after the match, Van Dijk said how much of an honor it was to go out with Jota’s sons.
“It was an absolute honor to have the boys with me and Ali [Becker] also together. I think it was something I was really looking forward to,” he told the club official website.
“After conversations with Rute and the family, this was obviously something I was looking forward to.
“It would be emotional, but I think it’s something the boys will remember forever.
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— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 27, 2025
“Hopefully there is more to come for them in the future and they can continue to enjoy Liverpool because Liverpool is the place close to their hearts and Diogo will stay with us forever.
“I was very proud to have them with us, and I think the fans appreciated that too.”
Forever our number 20.
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