Ruben Neves has unveiled a new tattoo on the back of his left calf in a touching tribute to his late best friend Diogo Jota.
The former Wolves star is long considered Jota’s best friend, after the pair spent three years together at Wolves and achieved promotion to the Premier League.
They also spent six years together with the Portuguese national team.
The 28-year-old carried his former team-mate’s coffin at his funeral in July, just days after his tragic death.
Ahead of their upcoming international friendlies against Armenia and Hungary, national team boss Roberto Martinez announced that Neves would take the No21 shirt left behind by Jota.
“The No21 jersey will go to Ruben Neves because, that way, that number will remain on the field and with all of us,” he confirmed.
“He had a very close relationship with Diogo and is the ideal person to represent him.
“We know what Diogo meant to each of us and the impact he had on our lives. We want to honour his memory every day. He will be with us and will be another force helping us achieve our goals.
“Diogo's example is a light for us. We will carry his spirit in our hearts.
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“Diogo's absence is a factor of unity, motivation and responsibility, because Diogo wanted to win the World Cup. We are here to fight and achieve that dream.”
And it is that very shirt that has been inked on the back of Neves’ left calf in memory of his late best friend.
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The tattoo depicts the pair hugging on the pitch, with Jota’s ‘Diogo J.’ No21 shirt in the forefront of the image.
Neves’ tattoo is one of many tributes that can be seen on Portugal National Team’s official X account.
Both Jota and former Porto and Portugal defender Jorge Costa, who died after suffering a heart attack while coaching Porto's first team at the training ground last month, have been immortalised through a statue of their national team jerseys.
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An emotional video was also released of Neves reading a letter to the late Jota.
“More than friends, we’re family,” he read. “And that won’t change 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 always have been.”
Jota tragically died in a car accident in July along with his brother, André Silva.
The 28-year-old was on his way back to England to join up with the Liverpool team for pre-season after being advised against flying due to lung surgery.
The pair had just crossed the Spanish border when one of the wheels on the Portuguese star’s Lamborghini caught fire, diverting the vehicle off the road.
Jota, who married childhood sweetheart Ruto Cardoso just 11 days prior to the accident, left behind three young children.
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