They had close relationship – Martinez picks Portugal player to take Jota’s jersey number

Roberto Martinez, Portugal national team head coach, has picked Al-Hilal midfielder, Ruben Neves as the player to take the number 21 jersey of the late Diogo Jota.

Jota passed away in Spain following a fatal accident while on his way to England to join Liverpool’s pre-season training squad.

The Liverpool striker died alongside his brother, Andre.

However, speaking ahead of Portugal’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Armenia on Friday, Martinez revealed that Neves will take over Jota’s number 21 jersey because the duo had a close relationship.

“The number 21 jersey will go to Ruben Neves because, that way, that number will remain on the field and with all of us,” Martinez said as per Daily Mail.

“He had a very close relationship with Diogo and is the ideal person to represent him.”