UNPRECEDENTED TRIBUTE: Newcastle Supporters Plan a First-Ever Gesture to Honor Diogo Jota Ahead of Their Home Game Against Liverpool.
In a moment that will go down in history, fans will unite at St James’ Park to pay their respects.
The heartfelt message? “Diogo, you’ll always be in our hearts.”
Newcastle United Fans Planning Classy Diogo Jota Tribute
Newcastle United fans are planning a classy tribute for Diogo Jota after the Liverpool forward died in a car accident in the early hours of Thursday morning. The Portuguese forward passed away aged 28 alongside his brother, Andre Silva, who was 26.
The entire footballing community has been united in grief following the tragic incident. Many Liverpool players and club legends, including Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, have paid their respects to Jota and his brother.
Liverpool have confirmed that Jota’s No. 20 shirt will be ‘immortalised’. It’s expected that Jota’s number will be retired, making the Reds the 12th English club to retire a shirt number.
Newcastle Fans Plan Jota Tribute
Newcastle welcome Liverpool to St James’ Park on August 23
It’s currently unclear whether Liverpool will still play their first pre-season friendly against Preston on July 13, as planned. The Reds begin the new season with five friendly matches before the Community Shield against Crystal Palace at Wembley on August 10.
Liverpool’s Upcoming Fixtures
July 13
Preston (A)
July 26
AC Milan (N)
July 30
Yokohama FC (N)
August 4
Athletic Club (H)
August 10
Crystal Palace (N)
August 15
Bournemouth (H)
August 23
Newcastle United (A)
Slot’s men then face Bournemouth at Anfield on August 15, in the opening Premier League game of the season, before visiting Newcastle United eight days later. That fixture, at St James’ Park, will be Newcastle’s first home match of the season.
And Newcastle Supporters Worldwide have urged their fellow fans to sing Liverpool’s famous anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone (YNWA) in tribute to Jota. They haven’t forgotten Liverpool fans singing YNWA as a mark of respect after former Newcastle United player Christian Atsu died aged 31 following an earthquake in Turkey in 2023.
The statement on Facebook reads: “A few years ago when Atsu died, We played Liverpool at home and they showed respect by singing YNWA.
“We now play Liverpool in our first home game of the season. We are asking all fans in attendance against Liverpool to sing YNWA at the start of the game to show respect to Jota. Share this to everyone you know who’s at the game on the 23rd of August. RIP JOTA, YNWA.”
Another said: “As a Liverpool fan this is a great touch. Rivalry goes out the window at times like these.” While a third added: “Respect lads.”
As the 2025–26 Premier League season edges closer, emotions are set to run high at St James’ Park when Newcastle United host Liverpool. This clash already promises drama on the pitch, but now, thanks to an impassioned campaign from Newcastle fans, it will also carry a powerful tribute to the late Diogo Jota.
Shared Respect and Shared Loss
Newcastle United supporters have long recognised that some moments transcend rivalry. That sentiment is now being channelled into a heartfelt gesture in honour of Diogo Jota, the Liverpool and Portugal forward who tragically passed away alongside his brother André Silva. The Magpies’ first home match of the season, set for Saturday 23 August against Liverpool, will serve as the stage.
A Newcastle supporters’ group has issued a moving call to action across social media, encouraging fans to unite in singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” ahead of kick-off. It’s not the sort of thing you expect at a game where tribalism runs deep, but football fans know better than most when to stand shoulder to shoulder.
Remembering What Matters
The group, “Newcastle Supporters Worldwide,” drew inspiration from a previous act of football solidarity, reminding fans how Liverpool had paused to honour former Newcastle winger Christian Atsu at Anfield. In a message posted on Facebook, they wrote:
“A few years ago when Atsu died, We played Liverpool at home and they showed respect by signing YNWA,”
“We now play Liverpool on our first home game of the season we are asking all fans in attendance against Liverpool to sing YNWA at the start of the game to show respect to Jota.”
“Share this to everyone you know who’s at the game on the 23rd of August.”
It’s a rallying cry not of defiance, but of compassion. Thousands have already pledged to join the tribute, a reminder that while football can divide, it can also unify.
Portugal Mourns One of Its Own
In Portugal, mourning continues. Over the weekend, funeral services were held for Jota and his brother following their repatriation from Spain. The wake took place at Capela da Ressurreição in São Cosme, attended by family, friends and fellow fans.
On Saturday 5 July, a Funeral Mass was held at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, the parish church in their hometown. Local authorities marked the day with flags flown at half-mast and a municipal day of mourning. Supporters laid scarves, wreaths and handwritten notes, the sort of personal gestures that speak louder than applause.
Football’s Humanity Shines Through
This planned tribute from Newcastle fans captures the heart of football at its best. Diogo Jota, a relentless talent and a popular figure at Liverpool, deserves to be remembered in a way that matches his impact on the game and the people in it.
In that moment before the whistle blows, when thousands of voices rise together at St James’ Park, it will not matter what colours anyone wears. It will be about Diogo Jota, the game we all love, and the simple power of standing united.
