Pedro Neto paid tribute to former team-mate Diogo Jota throughout a minute’s silence earlier than Chelsea’s Membership World Cup match towards Palmeiras.
The sport within the USA occurred roughly 48 hours after Jota and his brother Andre tragically died in a automobile crash in Northern Spain.
Neto performed alongside Jota for the Portugal nationwide staff and have been additionally team-mates at Wolves, with the pair regarded as shut pals off the pitch.
So earlier than their semi-final victory in Philadelphia, Neto held up a Chelsea shirt with ‘Diogo’ and ‘Andre’, with the ahead wanting understandably emotional.
Enzo Maresca had mentioned previous to the 2-1 win that the winger wouldn’t be pressured into enjoying within the sport after being excused from Thursday’s coaching session.
Pedro Neto and Chelsea honor Diogo Jota and André Silva 💙 pic.twitter.com/AqP2hQdAw6
— B/R Soccer (@brfootball) July 5, 2025
However the 25-year-old was chosen from the beginning, enjoying 87 minutes earlier than being substituted for Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor.
“Pedro could be very unhappy, most likely greater than unhappy,” Maresca informed reporters earlier than kick-off. “However we’re near Pedro to assist him on this second. It’s utterly Pedro’s resolution [if he wants to play]. I had a chat with him this morning, and we assist him. Any resolution he takes is the correct one.
“We are going to assist him in any case. If he’s on the pitch tomorrow or not, we are going to assist him.
“It’s very unhappy day, and I wrestle to search out phrases. It’s very tough, the sensation that you’ve is helplessness on this state of affairs. The one factor I can say is all my love for his [Jota’s] household on this massive tragedy.”
Neto posted on X after the sport: “Tonight, I carried greater than only a jersey. For Diogo. For André. For each second we shared. Relaxation straightforward, my brothers.”
Tonight, I carried greater than only a jersey. For Diogo. For André. For each second we shared. Relaxation straightforward, my brothers. 🕊️❤️ #FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/TqCAe1C5vk
— Pedro Neto (@pedrolneto7_) July 5, 2025
Tributes have been pouring in for Jota following his tragic passing, with he and Andre’s funeral going down on Saturday.
Plenty of Jota’s former team-mates, together with gamers and managers from Liverpool and Portugal, have flown in for the service.
