7 Pedro Neto

Born in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, Pedro Neto joined Braga’s youth system at age 13. He made his professional debut for Braga B on May 7, 2017, in a Segunda Liga match against Porto B. Just a week later, he marked his Primeira Liga debut with a goal, becoming Braga’s youngest-ever scorer in the competition.

In August 2017, Neto and his teammate Bruno Jordão were loaned to Lazio with an obligation to buy for a combined fee of €26 million. However, opportunities in Serie A were scarce, and he made only a single league appearance before moving on.

In August 2019, Neto signed with Wolves, making an immediate impact by scoring on his debut in a UEFA Europa League qualifier against Pyunik. He quickly became a key figure, earning his first Premier League start and assisting in a 2–0 win over Watford.

Neto’s impressive performances continued, and he made history by becoming the first Wolves teenager to score in the Premier League in a New Year’s Day fixture against Watford in 2020. He extended his contract in November 2020 and delivered a stellar performance against Arsenal, scoring and assisting in a landmark 2–1 win.

However, in April 2021, Neto suffered a severe knee injury, sidelining him for over a year. He battled through a long rehabilitation process, finally returning in February 2022 and marking his comeback with a goal against Liverpool in May.

Despite another injury setback in October 2022, Neto returned stronger and reached 100 Premier League appearances in October 2023, celebrating with an assist in a win over Bournemouth. He also scored his first FA Cup goal in January 2024.

On August 11, 2024, Chelsea signed Neto on a seven-year deal for £51.3 million, plus potential bonuses. He debuted a week later in a 2–0 loss to Manchester City and scored his first goal on September 24 in a dominant 5–0 EFL Cup win over Barrow.

Neto made his Portugal U21 debut in September 2019 and was soon called up to the senior team in November 2020. He made an instant impact, scoring on his debut in a 7–0 win over Andorra, becoming the first player born in the 2000s to represent Portugal.

Unfortunately, injuries ruled him out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but he returned to the national setup for UEFA Euro 2024. At the tournament, he assisted the winning goal in Portugal’s opener against the Czech Republic and played key minutes in the group stage.

Pedro Neto is known for his explosive pace, dribbling, and ability to create chances. His resilience in overcoming injuries and delivering standout performances has made him one of Portugal’s most exciting talents. As he continues his Chelsea journey, fans eagerly anticipate more thrilling displays from the talented winger.