Neto may miss Club World Cup quarter-final after death of friend Jota
The Chelsea manager said that Neto, who played with Jota at Wolverhampton Wanderers and with the Portugal national team, had been told he could decide whether he played against Palmeiras or not.
Neto, 25, did not train in Miami ahead of the team flight to Philadelphia for the game that will kick off at 9pm local time (2am Saturday UK).
Jota, the Liverpool forward, died in a car crash near Zamora in Portugal on Wednesday night.
The 28-year-old father of three was killed, along with his brother Andre Silva, only 11 days after he married his childhood sweetheart, and his death has shocked football.
'In terms of Pedro, he's very sad,' Maresca said. 'Probably more than sad, but we are also close to Pedro to support him in this moment.'
He added: 'It's completely Pedro's decision [whether he plays]. I had a chat this morning with Pedro. We support him. Any decision he will take is the correct one, and we are going to support him in any case. So it doesn't matter if he'll be on the pitch or not. [On Friday] we'll see how he is feeling. But in any case, we're going to support him.'
Neto, who has emerged as one of Chelsea's most important players, signed for Wolves in 2019 – two years after Jota's arrival.
Marc Cucurella, Neto's team-mate, suggested that the winger will play.
'In the morning he was sad and it was not his best moment. But we tried to stay together and in the afternoon he was a bit better and 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.'
He added: 'Football is not important at times like this. The most important thing is that we show respect and all our love. It was a difficult moment because these things can happen to all of us in any moment. Then you start to think if you don't feel good, or you don't give 100 per cent, or feel s---, when these things happen it's important to be happy and live life every day.'
The Chelsea captain Reece James said: 'I think the whole football world is devastated by the passing of Diogo and his brother. It's obviously a difficult time for everyone involved and his close friends and family. It's such a tragic accident.
'Of course he [Neto] is going to be upset. I think they were very close. Something so sudden. It's very difficult to react and support him in the right way when something so unexpected happens.'
On Thursday night Portugal fans at the women's Euro 2025 match against Switzerland in Bern paid tribute to Jota, holding up portraits and waving flags.
Mourners are set to gather to honour Jota at a wake in Portugal on Friday morning, a local priest has said.
Jose Manuel Macedo, parish priest at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme, said a wake will take place for Jota and his brother at 8am at the nearby Capela da Ressurreicao before their funeral at the Igreja Matriz on Saturday at 10am.
Tributes from the football world and beyond flooded in for the Portuguese forward on Thursday.
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The Independent
34 minutes ago
- The Independent
Diogo Jota funeral latest: Wife and family join Liverpool stars to pay tribute to footballer and brother
Distraught family, friends and teammates of Liverpool star Diogo Jota have gathered for his funeral after he died in a car crash in Spain. The father-of-three died alongside his brother, Andre Silva, after their Lamborghini burst into flames following a tyre blowout in the early hours of Thursday morning. The mood was sombre as dozens of stars from the Liverpool and Portugal national teams arrived at the Capela da Ressurreicao, where just 11 days ago Jota had married his wife, Rute Cardoso. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and left-back Andy Robertson carried football shirt-shaped wreaths with Jota's Number 20 on the back, followed closely by manager Arne Slot and other players from the club. Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United, Joao Felix of Chelsea, and Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva of Manchester City, were among the other footballing stars, legends, agents and media figures also pictured. As the funeral bells rang out, family and friends carried and followed the two coffins into the Capela da Ressurreicao in heart-rending scenes. Diogo Jota's wife Rute Cardoso, who he married just weeks ago. She was held closely by another woman as she followed behind her husband's coffin, one hand rested on top. The funeral began at 10am and the sound is being broadcast to the hundreds of reporters and mourners outside the church. Watch: Portugal manager Roberto Martinez pays tribute to Diogo Jota at funeral Alex Croft5 July 2025 13:20 In pictures: Footballers mourn loss of two of their own Alex Croft5 July 2025 13:02 'We are all one football family', says Roberto Martinez Portuguese national football team coach has said it has been proven that Diogo Jota and Andre Silva's friends are a 'very large and close family'. Here is what he told reporters after the funeral: They are really sad days, as you can imagine, but today we have shown we are a very large, but close family. We are Portugal, and it was essential for us that (with) Andre Silva and Diogo Jota, we are together and we will always be together and their spirit will be with us forever. Thank you very much for your messages, for your support, and everything that we receive all over the world. It means a lot, and today we are all one football family. Alex Croft5 July 2025 12:44 Watch: Liverpool stars arrive at funeral for Diogo Jota and his brother carrying wreaths Alex Croft5 July 2025 12:21 In pictures: Liverpool fans pay respects outside Anfield Alex Croft5 July 2025 11:59 Jota's teammate and close friend Ruben Neves acts as pallbearer Among the pallbearers at Diogo Jota and Andre Silva's funeral today was Ruben Neves, one of his teammates for both club and country. Neves flew to Portugal from Florida overnight, where he played a Club World Cup match for Al Hilal. Along with his Portuguese teammate Joao Cancelo he was seen sobbing during a moment's silence before the game. Jota and Neves played together since they were young, both representing the Portugal national team at youth level. They joined Wolves at the same time in 2017, both establishing themselves as exciting young players in the Premier League, and developing a close bond during the three years they played together. 'You know what you mean to me as much as I know what I mean to you,' Neves wrote in his tribute to Jota on Friday. 'More than a friendship, we're family, and we won't stop being that just because you've decided to sign a contract a little further away from us.' He said he would 'make sure that your loved ones never lack anything while you're there, far away but thinking of us, waiting for us'. 5 July 2025 11:35 Funeral comes to an end as Jota's weeping wife helps carry coffin The funeral mass of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva has come to a close. Ave Maria is being played out on the loudspeakers as funeralgoers embrace, many in tears. As the church bells again begin to ring out, the coffins are carried out of the church, with photos of the brothers leading in front. Andre Silva's coffin comes first, with family members in tears behind. Next comes Diogo Jota's coffin. Ruben Neves, Jota's Portugal and former Wolves teammate - and one of his best friends - is one of the pallbearers. Rute Cardoso, his wife who he married just 11 days ago, is helping to carry the coffin. She sobs as she rests her head on the coffin while walking. It is unclear where they will now be taken. Alex Croft5 July 2025 11:11 Jota 'absolutely adored' his brother Andre Aaron Barton, a Portuguese football expert from Liverpool, has been speaking to the BBC about Andre Silva's career - and his relationship with brother Diogo Jota. Silva was a 'talented' player, Mr Barton said, a versatile attacker who could play across the front three. 'He was someone that Diogo absolutely adored,' Mr Barton added. 'On multiple occasions in interviews, Diogo Jota was asked who his favourite footballer is. 'And he would always answer: Andre Silva. He would say Cristian Ronaldo was his idol, but his favourite player to watch was his brother, Andre SIlva. 'I think that really hit home how close the bond between the two brothers was. They did everything together, they travelled together, and they'd frequently watch each other play when they could.' Alex Croft5 July 2025 11:03 Family and friends follow as coffin brought into church Alex Croft5 July 2025 10:36 Funeral service begins after coffins carried into church The coffins holding Diogo Jota and Andrew Silva have entered the church, where the funeral service is now underway. As the funeral bells rang out, family and friends carried and followed the two coffins into the Capela da Ressurreicao in truly heart-rending scenes. They were followed by distraught family members, including Diogo Jota's wife Rute Cardoso, who he married just weeks ago. She was held closely by another woman as she followed behind her husband's coffin, one hand rested on top. The attendees are now inside the church, with some gathered outside as the crowd spills outside the church. The service has begun and the sound is being broadcast outside the church. Alex Croft
Metro
38 minutes ago
- Metro
Why Cristiano Ronaldo missed Diogo Jota funeral as teammates say farewell
Cristiano Ronaldo did not attend the funeral of Portugal teammate Diogo Jota. The Liverpool forward and his brother Andre were killed in a car crash in northwest Spain in the early hours of Thursday morning. The two were laid to rest in their hometown of Gondomar on Saturday in a private funeral mass. Jota's wife Rute Cardoso, who he wed just two weeks ago, and their three children were joined by a delegation from Liverpool with Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson carrying wreaths into the church for their teammate. A host of his international teammates were also in attendance including Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City's Bernardo Silva along with national team boss Roberto Martinez. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Ruben Neves was playing for Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup in the United States on Friday but made the trip to Portugal to honour his close friend, among those helping carry the coffin into the church. Ronaldo, captain of the Portugal national team, was not present, however. The Al-Nassr striker was this week pictured enjoying his summer holidays on the Spanish island of Majorca, with local press it is now a favourite vacation spot for the 39-year-old. His absence on Saturday has sparked discontent in Portugal with journalist Antonio Ribeiro Cristovao commenting: 'He is the captain of the Portugal squad. Many expected he would attend. 'Diogo Jota was part of the team. Maybe there are some reasons we don't know. 'If he doesn't attend, he has to explain the reason. He has that responsibility. He is the captain.' More Trending The Mirror meanwhile report Ronaldo opted not to attend over fears his presence could disrupt the sombre proceedings in the small town. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star made a heartwarming tribute to Jota in the hours that followed his shock death on Thursday. 'It doesn't make sense. We were just together in the national team, and you had just gotten married,' Ronaldo said. 'To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.' MORE: Oasis make moving tribute to Diogo Jota that left fans 'sobbing' at first reunion show MORE: Pedro Neto plays through tears after emotional Diogo Jota message in Chelsea match MORE: William Gallas says Chelsea are right not to sign 'crazy' £45m Man Utd target
Wales Online
39 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Reason Cristiano Ronaldo missed Diogo Jota's funeral emerges as Portugal captain's absence felt
Reason Cristiano Ronaldo missed Diogo Jota's funeral emerges as Portugal captain's absence felt Diogo Jota was laid to rest on Saturday morning after the Liverpool and Portugal star tragically died in a car crash alongside his younger brother Andre Silva in Spain Cristiano Ronaldo was unable to attend Diogo Jota's funeral Cristiano Ronaldo was not present at the funeral of Diogo Jota on Saturday morning. Jota was laid to rest with his brother Andre Silva in Gondomar, near Porto, Portugal, following their tragic passing in a car accident in Spain in the early hours of Thursday morning. Members from Jota's Liverpool squad, the Portugal national team, and his past colleagues from Wolves were among those who travelled to honour his memory. Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson were spotted carrying red floral tributes into the church, while Portuguese footballers Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Joao Neves also attended the service held at the Chapel of the Resurrection. Neves, a former team-mate of Jota at both Wolves and the Portugal national side, was one of those who assisted in bearing the coffin into the church after arriving from the United States where he had been competing in the Club World Cup with Al-Hilal. However, Portugal's captain Ronaldo was notably absent from the mourners at the funeral, officiated by Father Jose Manuel Macedo at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar catholic church. As per the Mirror, Ronaldo was concerned that his appearance in the small town might detract from the solemn occasion dedicated to his team-mate and his younger brother. He has chosen to maintain a low profile recently, spending time with his family. Ronaldo did, however, share a heartfelt message on social media following the heartbreaking news on Thursday, writing: "It doesn't make sense. We were just together in the national team, and you had just gotten married. Article continues below "To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you." Dozens of figures from the world of football attended the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva (Image:) Liverpool stars such as Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez, Federico Chiesa and manager Arne Slot stood alongside Van Dijk and Robertson to pay their respects. Former Liverpool players Caoimhin Kelleher, Jordan Henderson and James Milner were also in attendance. The tragic accident that claimed Jota and his brother occurred when their Lamborghini veered off the road in north west Spain – which police expect happened due to a burst tyre – and the vehicle subsequently caught fire. The funeral came after a private wake held on Friday, which saw the presence of Jota's wife Rute Cardoso, whom he had married just last a couple of weeks ago, along with other family members. Jota had three children with his wife – two sons and a daughter. Content cannot be displayed without consent Article continues below In response to the devastating event, the Portuguese Football Federation released a statement saying: "Diogo Jota was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his team-mates and opponents. He had a contagious joy and was a reference point in his own community." The federation's president added: "On behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation and myself, I would like to offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Diogo and Andre as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the respective clubs of the players. We have lost two champions. "Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day."
