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Ruben Neves has honored Diogo Jota with a new tattoo, with Liverpool’s sadly departed star remembered by his international teammates this week.
Jota tragically died in a car accident alongside his brother Andre Silva in July, with tributes having been paid by Liverpool players and fans ever since as the forward’s No.20 shirt number has been retired by the club.
There have been a number of tributes elsewhere, with Neves in particular playing a big part in commemorating his former teammate. The pair became great friends after playing alongside each other at Wolves and with Portugal, with Neves acting as a pallbearer at Jota’s funeral.
The Al-Hilal midfielder has now unveiled a new lasting tribute to his friend, having got a tattoo displaying him embracing Jota while playing for their country.
The artwork was presented by the Portuguese national team on social media alongside the message: “You’ll never be forgotten. The true meaning of being 23+1.”
It has been confirmed that Neves will take the No.21 jersey for Portugal now, with the shirt number having been worn by Jota previously as more tributes were paid to the Liverpool hero during the international break.
It is the first time Portugal’s players have reported for international duty since Jota’s death, and ahead of games against Armenia and Hungary, a special ceremony was held in his honor.
Jota’s family, including his widow Rute Cardoso, was presented with a special medal as a bronze shirt commemorating the forward was unveiled at Portugal’s training base in Lisbon.
Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of the Portuguese squad were in attendance, with Neves paying an emotional tribute to his close friend.
"Everyone in the national team felt these words to the same extent and speaking as a group, I think they fit extremely well with what our first meeting will be like. More than friends, we're family,” Neves said.
"And that won't change just because you've signed a contract a little farther from home.
"When we join the national team, you'll still be with us - at the dinner table, on the bus, on the plane. Always by our side, just like you've always been.
"We'll keep laughing, making plans and sharing life the way we always have.
"We'll make sure you're never missing from our lives and that your loved ones have everything they need while you're away, thinking of us, waiting for us.
"Life brought us together and nothing can break that bond. We've already achieved so much together, and there's still so much more ahead and we know we'll make it.
"From today on, you'll step on to the pitch with us and we'll keep moving forward together on the stage where it all began."
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