As the Club World Cup final takes centre stage on Sunday, the Chelsea star has revealed that the game is strictly for his late friend Diogo Jota and brother Andre Silva.
Softfootball captured that Portuguese winger Pedro Neto is said to pay an emotional tribute to his departed friend during the game Chelsea’s clash against PSG on Sunday at the MetLife Stadium in Orlando.
According to the Daily Mail, Diogo Jota said he is determined to win Sunday’s Club World Cup final in honour of his late friend and former teammate.
Jota, 28, tragically passed away alongside his brother, André Silva, following a car crash in northern Spain on July 3. The news has shaken the footballing world, with tributes pouring in from across the game.
Neto, 25, shared a heartfelt message ahead of the final against Paris Saint-Germain, vowing to dedicate the match to Jota’s memory.
“When I step onto the pitch on Sunday, know that I want to win this competition for Diogo Jota,”
Neto said.
“He will always be with me. He will always be remembered.”
The two players had a moment together at Wolves before Jota’s move to Liverpool in 2020 and were also part of Portugal’s Nations League-winning squad in 2019. According to the Chelsea star, he related how Jota helped his family settle in when they got to England, adding that:
“Diogo immediately stood out to me when I came to England,”
Neto continued.
“I was very young and he helped me and my family a lot. I learned so much from him, about life and about football.”
The Chelsea forward recalled the strong Portuguese bond at Wolves under Nuno Espírito Santo, with teammates like Ruben Neves, João Moutinho, and Rui Patrício forming a close-knit group alongside Jota.
“We were so close and spent a lot of time together off the pitch. The memories will stay with me forever. It’s why it’s so tough to now be without Diogo.”
Neto concluded, praising Jota’s character, describing him as a “warrior” with an unforgettable smile.
“I have this feeling that Diogo is still protecting everyone who was close to him. That’s why I want to be a warrior for him. Sunday is no different.
“It’s my second final with Chelsea, and we can be crowned world champions. That’s the focus. I want to win it for Diogo.”
The action of Pedro is one of the numerous tributes that have been made about the demise of the late brothers. Recall that Softfootball had earlier reported the recent action of Liverpool to retire the iconic no. 20 in memory of the late Diogo Jota.
The decision was made after consultation with Jota’s wife, Rute, and his family and will serve as a lasting symbol of the Portuguese forward’s impact both on and off the pitch since arriving at Anfield in 2020. Michael Edwards, Liverpool’s CEO of Football Operations, explained the significance of the decision.
As the Club World Cup wraps up on Sunday, Pedro Neto would likely cap the event with a goal or possibly a trophy for his late friend. Currently, Pedro has scored a total of three goals for Chelsea in five appearances at the ongoing Club World Cup.
