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How supporters transformed remembrance into grassroots opportunities for young football players
Supporters of the English football club Liverpool have come together to create a powerful tribute that is now providing lasting opportunities for young people in their community. What began as a spirited, fan-led mural project honoring the late Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and his brother has grown into a meaningful investment through the club’s LFC Foundation.
In July 2025, Jota and his brother André Silva tragically passed away in a car accident on their way back to Liverpool from Spain. Jota, who wore the club’s No. 20 shirt, was widely admired for his talent, work ethic and humility, as well as the strong connection he maintained with supporters throughout his career. Silva was also a footballer for Portuguese club Panafiel, remembered for his intense passion for the game and his close bond with his brother. News of their deaths prompted an outpouring of tributes from the global football community, with clubs, players and supporters honoring their lives and impact on and off the pitch.
Liverpool artist Paul Curtis initially set a £2,000 crowdfunding target to cover the mural costs. That goal was reached in just 35 minutes. Donations continued to pour in, and the campaign eventually closed with more than £26,000 raised. After covering fees and materials £23,924 was donated to the LFC Foundation to support the new program. Last season, the emerging program had already provided 1,136 free football clinics to youth in the community – and with the outpouring of support, they expect to grow their offerings.
A plaque mounted beside the mural on Lyon Street in Liverpool, near the team’s stadium, reflects the project’s dual purpose, serving as both a tribute and a commitment to community impact. It reads:
“The mural was an initiative started by Liverpool fans and supported by football fans around the world. This project contributed over £23,000 to the LFC Foundation to be used on a programme delivering grass roots football in memory of Diogo and Andre.
Painted by Paul Curtis in July 2025.
Forever our Number 20. His name is Diogo.
Y.N.W.A.”
“We all still feel the loss of these two lads in the most tragic circumstances, but we hope that this project has been a tiny bit of positivity and helps remember them at their best. This was a fan-led project, initiated by the Facebook fan group page ‘Sir Kenneth Dalgliesh Stand,’ that asked me to organize things,”
“As a fan, it has been an incredible honor to have been asked to be the artist to do the mural. I have tried to involve the fans at every stage; it was important that this was communal. As well as the money raised, which is amazing (thanks to everyone who donated), people have messaged me to say that having the focus of this project and the physical artwork has helped in a small way in the grieving process.” – Paul Curtis, artist
The mural is part of a broader wave of supporter-driven giving since Jota’s passing. To date, more than £250,000 has been raised to help fund the grassroots football program in Jota’s name, which will be run by the LFC Foundation. Much of this support has come from fans choosing to print “Diogo J. 20” on the back of their shirts or purchasing commemorative T-shirts created by LFC retail, with all profits directed to the Foundation.
Matt Parish, Chief Executive of LFC Foundation, added:
“The way supporters have come together to honor Diogo and Andre has been incredibly touching. Their generosity, combined with Paul’s decision to donate the extra crowdfunded money, have enabled us to create a program that will have a lasting impact. We’re working very hard to get this grassroots football program in Diogo’s name off the ground and are so thankful to everyone who has helped with a donation of any kind.”
Alongside the new program, Liverpool FC is ensuring tributes left by supporters are preserved with care, while also contributing to sustainability programs. Floral tributes from Anfield are being composted for flower beds across club facilities, while remaining artifacts will be recycled into a permanent memorial sculpture. A temporary area of reflection also remains open at the stadium for fans to pay their respects.
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