Thursday, August 14, 2025 - Chelsea players will donate part of their Club World Cup bonuses to the family of the late Diogo Jota, who died last month aged 28.
Enzo Maresca's 24-man squad for the tournament is set to
receive a combined bonus of £11.4m for winning the competition.
But in an incredible show of class, Blues stars have opted
to give up part of their bonuses to raise funds for the widow of Jota, who
tragically was killed in a car crash with his brother Andre Silva and
his three children.
It's unclear what percentage of their bonuses players will
donate to Jota's family.
Each player is set to take home £475,000 for their role in
winning the tournament.
But their total bonus was set to be reduced by tax
and social security costs prior to their generous offerings to Jota's
family.
Liverpool is also set to immortalise their former
Portuguese winger, who was a fan favourite, with a sculpture outside Anfield.
The Kop club will pay tribute to the late Jota ahead of
their Premier League opener against Bournemouth on Friday with a
minute's silence.
The players will wear a tribute for their former team-mate
in each game of the 2025/26 season in the form of a 'Forever 20' emblem on
their shirts.
Jota's No.20 shirt has been retired by the club across all
levels in a touching tribute to Jota, who scored 65 goals in 182 appearances
for the Reds.
FSG CEO Michael Edwards said of the decision: "As a
club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters – and we
felt exactly the same way.
“It was vitally important to us to involve Diogo’s wife,
Rute, and his family in the decision and to ensure they were the first to know
of our intention. I believe this is the first time
in Liverpool Football Club’s history that such an honour
has been bestowed upon an individual.
“Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us number 20, and he wore –
with honour, distinction and affection – the number 20.
“As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be
forever our number 20.”
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