Pedro Neto paid tribute to former team-mate Diogo Jota throughout a minute’s silence earlier than Chelsea’s Membership World Cup match in opposition to Palmeiras.
The sport within the USA befell roughly 48 hours after Jota and his brother Andre tragically died in a automotive crash in Northern Spain.
Neto performed alongside Jota for the Portugal nationwide group and had been additionally team-mates at Wolves, with the pair considered shut associates 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 trying understandably emotional.
Enzo Maresca had stated previous to the 2-1 win that the winger wouldn’t be pressured into taking part in within the recreation 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, taking part in 87 minutes earlier than being substituted for Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor.
“Pedro could be very unhappy, in all probability greater than unhappy,” Maresca advised reporters earlier than kick-off. “However we’re near Pedro to help him on this second. It’s fully Pedro’s determination [if he wants to play]. I had a chat with him this morning, and we help him. Any determination he takes is the correct one.
“We are going to help him in any case. If he’s on the pitch tomorrow or not, we’ll help him.
“It’s very unhappy day, and I battle to search out phrases. It’s very troublesome, the sensation that you’ve got 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 simple, my brothers.”
Tonight, I carried greater than only a jersey. For Diogo. For André. For each second we shared. Relaxation simple, 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 happening on Saturday.
Numerous Jota’s former team-mates, together with gamers and managers from Liverpool and Portugal, have flown in for the service.