James Milner Celebrates Goal for Jota with Trademark Gesture

James Milner paid heartfelt homage to his former Liverpool teammate, Diogo Jota, after scoring his first Premier League goal in six years during Brighton’s 2-1 victory over Manchester City. Milner, 39, scored the equalizer and marked the occasion by performing Jota’s well-known video game celebration.

The goal was particularly meaningful, as Jota tragically died at the age of 28 in a car accident in Spain, just weeks after marrying his childhood sweetheart. To honor his friend, Milner changed his squad number from 6 to 20 for the current season, a tribute to Jota.

The Portuguese forward, who played alongside Milner at Liverpool, passed away in July alongside his brother after their car collided in northern Spain. Jota’s death profoundly affected his teammates and fans alike.

Milner reflected on his decision in an interview, saying, “When I heard Carlos [Baleba] wanted to change his number and 20 was available, I decided to take it as a sign of respect and to honor Diogo Jota.” He added, “He was an incredible player and a great friend; it’s a true privilege to wear his number this season.”

Having spent three years with Jota at Anfield, Milner’s goal sparked a comeback, culminating in a late winner from Brajan Gruda. Jota’s memory remains a source of inspiration for Milner and his teammates.