Pedro Neto Breaks Down in Tears as Chelsea and Al Hilal Pay Emotional Tribute to Diogo Jota

Pedro Neto was visibly heartbroken as Chelsea paid tribute to the late Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, ahead of their Club World Cup quarter-final clash with Palmeiras on Friday.

Jota, 28, tragically passed away on Thursday in a car crash in Spain alongside his younger brother, Andre. The shocking news has sent waves of grief through the football world, with players, clubs and fans paying their respects to the Liverpool forward and his family.

Before kick-off in Philadelphia, Chelsea winger Neto, a former teammate of Jota at Wolves and fellow Portugal international, walked onto the pitch carrying a Chelsea shirt with the names “Diogo & Andre” printed on the back. He stood shoulder to shoulder with captain Enzo Fernandez as both teams gathered around the centre circle for a minute of silence in memory of the two brothers.

Neto, who had missed training after receiving the heartbreaking news, chose to play despite the deep personal pain he was carrying. Manager Enzo Maresca had earlier confirmed that it was entirely the player’s decision.

“Pedro is very sad – probably even more than sad,” Maresca said. “We’re all standing by him. It’s up to him whether he plays or not, and whatever he decides, we support him. It’s a very difficult time, and words really fail you in situations like this.”

Neto wasn’t alone in playing through grief. Al Hilal’s Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo were also overcome with emotion during their Club World Cup match against Fluminense. Both broke down in tears before kick-off and had to be comforted by teammates as tributes were paid. Like Neto, they were given the option not to play, but decided to take part and honour their fallen friend on the pitch.

Just minutes before stepping out, Neves shared a heartbreaking message to Jota on social media. “Bug, wherever you are, I know you’ll read this,” he wrote. “You mean everything to me. We weren’t just friends – we’re family.”

He promised to keep Jota’s memory alive both on and off the field. “From today on, you will enter the field with me… We’ll carry on, together.”

In Portugal, large crowds gathered at the wake held for Diogo and Andre in their hometown of Gondomar on Friday. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday morning at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar.

Among the mourners were Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot, and several Liverpool officials, including sporting director Richard Hughes. Former Portugal star Joao Moutinho, a close friend of Jota, was also present.

The football world continues to grieve the loss of a talented forward, a beloved teammate, and a devoted family man — gone far too soon.