Pedro Neto to make decision on Club World Cup involvement after death of close friend Diogo Jota

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Pedro Neto will have full control over whether he features in Friday’s Club World Cup quarter-final clash with Palmeiras, following the heartbreaking loss of his close friend and Portugal team-mate Diogo Jota.

Jota, the Liverpool forward aged 28, and his brother Andre Silva tragically lost their lives in a car accident in northern Spain early on Thursday morning.

Jota and Neto had shared the pitch at Wolves before Jota’s 2020 move to Liverpool, and were both part of Portugal’s recent Nations League triumph.

In the wake of the devastating news, Neto opted out of Chelsea’s Thursday training session in Miami. Maresca made it clear that the winger won’t be pressured into returning to the pitch prematurely.

“Pedro is very sad, probably more than sad,” Maresca told reporters. “But we are close to Pedro to support him in this moment. It’s completely Pedro’s decision [if he wants to play]. I had a chat with him this morning, and we support him. Any decision he takes is the right one.

“We will support him in any case. If he is on the pitch tomorrow or not, we will support him.

🚨 Maresca says Pedro Neto is very sad and it will be down to the player to decide if he wants to play vs Palmeiras, the club are supporting him. #CFC pic.twitter.com/IoAI0F6ubP

— Pys (@CFCPys) July 4, 2025

“It’s very sad day, and I struggle to find words. It’s very difficult, the feeling that you have is helplessness in this situation. The only thing I can say is all my love for his [Jota’s] family in this big tragedy.”

Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella also commented on Neto’s emotional state, describing how the team is rallying around him during this incredibly difficult period.

“In the morning, he was sad, and it was not his best moment,” Cucurella added. “But we tried to stay together, and in the afternoon, he was a bit better.

“I told him that if he’s going to play, then he will score because that is destiny.

Hopefully, we can show his love and all the good friends that we are and dedicate the goal to him. It’s important that Pedro feels good [to play]. Football is secondary, but it’s a long day tomorrow, and whatever they decide will be good.

“Football is not important at times like this. The most important thing is that we show respect and all our love.”

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