Chelsea winger Pedro Neto has penned a touching tribute to Diogo Jota after the previous Liverpool star tragically died in a automobile crash aged 28.
Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, have been killed in a automobile crash in northern Spain on July 3 in an incident that shocked the sporting world.
Now, Neto, 25, has paid homage to Jota, who he gained the Nations League with for Portugal after they defeat Iberian rivals Spain within the last on June 8.
Neto and Jota performed with each other for a 12 months at Wolves earlier than the latter moved to Liverpool in 2020.
Posting a tribute on Chelsea’s membership web site, he wrote: ‘Once I step onto the pitch on Sunday, know that I need to win this competitors for Diogo Jota.
‘He’ll at all times be with me. He’ll at all times be remembered. My ideas are nonetheless with him, his brother Andre Silva, and their households. It’s such a troublesome second.
Chelsea winger Pedro Neto has penned a touching tribute to Diogo Jota
Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, have been killed in a automobile crash in northern Spain on July 3
‘Diogo instantly stood out to me once I got here to England. I used to be very younger and arriving in a brand new nation, and he was one of many key gamers at Wolves. However he helped me and my household quite a bit, and I realized a lot from him about life and soccer.
‘Diogo was a part of our group of Portuguese gamers – there have been numerous us! Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Ruben Vinagre, Rui Patricio, myself, and Diogo. We have been so shut and spent quite a lot of time collectively off the pitch.
‘We’re nonetheless in touch now and these guys, and the recollections I’ve, will stick with me for the remainder of my life. It’s why it’s so robust to now be with out Diogo.’
Past the Portuguese contigent that shaped below former Wolves supervisor Uno Espirito Santo, the pair additionally performed collectively for the Portuguese nationwide group.
Their time on worldwide responsibility grew to become extra frequent after Neto’s switch to Chelsea final summer season.
Neto added: ‘He was a warrior, a man who would at all times be able to battle for you. But he had this large smile and his snort…it is likely one of the issues that I’ll at all times keep in mind.
‘Once I heard the information, I spoke with the coach and everybody was very supportive. We had the sport in opposition to Palmeiras and it didn’t make sense for me to not play.
‘With the character Diogo had – one thing else that can at all times stick with me – I believe he would’ve wished us to play.
Neto and Jota have been team-mates collectively at Wolves for a season earlier than the latter moved to Liverpool
The pair have been additionally a part of the Portugal group that beat Spain within the Nations League last on June 8
‘I’ve this sense that Diogo continues to be defending everybody who was near him. It’s why I need to be a warrior for him. Sunday isn’t any totally different.
‘Will probably be my second last with Chelsea, and we will be topped world champions. That’s the focus. I need to win. I need to win it for Diogo.’
Neto is in line to function for the Blues in Sunday’s Membership World Cup last in opposition to PSG at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The winger’s tribute comes after Liverpool introduced that they might completely retire the Quantity 20 jersey from every of their membership’s groups to honour Jota.
Jota was an enormously in style participant, not only for his expertise – his six Premier League targets within the title successful marketing campaign have been chargeable for boosting Liverpool’s tally by six factors – however for his qualities as a person; he was somebody who made mates simply and impressed these round him along with his perspective.
For that cause, Liverpool have moved to take his quantity out of service. It’s the first time of their historical past they’ve made such a choice and it’s a reflection of the measure through which he was held.
Michael Edwards, FSG CEO of soccer, stated: ‘As a membership, we have been all aware of the sentiment of our supporters – and we felt precisely the identical approach.
Liverpool have retired their No 20 squad quantity following the tragic loss of life of Diogo Jota
The ahead wore the quantity throughout a five-year Anfield profession and netted 65 targets for the facet
‘It was vitally necessary to us to contain Diogo’s spouse, Rute, and his household within the determination and to make sure they have been the primary to know of our intention.
‘I imagine that is the primary time in Liverpool Soccer Membership’s historical past that such an honour has been bestowed upon a person. Due to this fact, we are able to say this can be a distinctive tribute to a uniquely fantastic individual.
‘By retiring this squad quantity, we’re making it everlasting – and due to this fact by no means to be forgotten. Diogo joined us in 2020, he gained us quantity 20, and he wore – with honour, distinction and affection – the quantity 20.
‘So far as Liverpool Soccer Membership is anxious, he can be eternally our quantity 20.’
