Chelsea star Pedro Neto candidly opens up on why he wants to win Club World Cup for best friend Diogo Jota
FOR DIOGO Chelsea star Pedro Neto candidly opens up on why he wants to win Club World Cup for best friend Diogo Jota
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
CHELSEA star Pedro Neto admits he wants to win the Club World Cup for Diogo Jota.
The winger was left stunned when news broke of his Portugal pal's tragic death in a car accident.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
2
Pedro Neto wants to win the Club World Cup to honour his late pal Diogo Jota
Credit: Getty
2
Neto feels Jota will 'protect' him when Chelsea face PSG in Sunday's final
Credit: Getty
Jota and his brother Andre Silva were instantly killed when their Lamborghini skidded off a road in Spain before bursting into flames.
Tributes were paid to Jota and Silva from around the world.
And a tearful funeral was held in their native Portugal, with Jota's club Liverpool also retiring his No20 jersey.
Neto was unable to attend the service due to being in America with Chelsea.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
slayed in chelsea Norwich defender in bloody battle with Made in Chelsea star's husband
The ace has played a key role in his side's run to Sunday's Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain.
But although the odds are stacked against Chelsea, Neto is confident that Jota's memory can inspire him to victory.
The pair forged a strong friendship while playing together at former club Wolves.
And Neto believes Jota will be 'protecting' him tomorrow, which in turn will inspire him to become a world champion with the Blues.
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
He told Chelsea's official site: 'When I step onto the pitch on Sunday, know that I want to win this competition for Diogo Jota.
'He will always be with me. He will always be remembered. My thoughts are still with him, his brother Andre Silva, and their families. It's such a difficult moment.
Chelsea set for mouthwatering Club World Cup final against red-hot European champions
'Diogo immediately stood out to me when I came to England. I was very young and arriving in a new country, and he was one of the key players at Wolves. But he helped me and my family a lot, and I learned so much from him about life and football.
'Diogo was part of our group of Portuguese plates – there were quite a lot of us! Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Ruben Vinagre, Rui Patricio, myself and Diogo. We were so close and spent a lot of time together off the pitch.
'We are still in contact now and these guys, and the memories I have, will stay with me for the rest of my life. It's why it's so tough to now be without Diogo.
'He was a warrior, a guy who would always be ready to fight for you. Yet he had this big smile and his laugh… it is one of the things that I will always remember.
'When I heard the news, I spoke with the coach and everyone was very supportive. We had the game against Palmeiras and it didn't make sense for me not to play. With the personality Diogo had – something else that will always stay with me – I think he would've wanted us to play.
'I have this feeling that Diogo is still protecting everyone who was close to him. It's why I want to be a warrior for him. Sunday is no different.
'It will be my second final with Chelsea, and we can be crowned world champions. That is the focus. I want to win. I want to win it for Diogo.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
36 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Celtic vs St Mirren Scottish Premiership prediction, odds and betting offer
Celtic commence their title defence and will be eyeing a record-breaking 56th Scottish Premiership win this season when they meet St Mirren in their season opener Celtic are widely tipped to take control of their upcoming Scottish Premiership match against St. Mirren. With a strong record of dominating possession and generating scoring opportunities, Celtic's blend of attacking talent and defensive organisation should allow them to dictate the tempo throughout the contest. The Glasgow side will likely press high up the pitch, seeking to exploit any vulnerabilities in St. Mirren's backline with quick passing and movement in the final third. Their ability to maintain pressure and create chances from wide areas or through central play has been a hallmark of their recent performances. St. Mirren's best hopes lie in maintaining discipline and structure at the back. The Paisley club may opt for a compact shape, aiming to frustrate Celtic's forwards and limit space around the penalty area. Opportunities for St. Mirren are most likely to come from swift counter-attacks or set pieces, where they can capitalise on any lapses in Celtic's concentration. Recent form suggests that St. Mirren could find it challenging to match Celtic's intensity over ninety minutes. However, their resilience and ability to strike quickly on the break means they cannot be written off entirely. Celtic vs St Mirren Odds Celtic - 2/11 Draw - 6/1 St Mirren - 16/1 18+ | Gamble responsibly | | Odds subject to change Celtic vs St Mirren Betting Tips Celtic to win and both teams to score - 7/4 Over 3.5 goals - 11/10 Jota to score anytime - Evens 18+ | Gamble responsibly | | Odds subject to change Celtic vs St Mirren Betting Offers If you are on the lookout for the latest free bet offers, then look no further. Here, not only do we bring you numerous free bet offers, but all from the very best betting sites in the industry. Each bookie we recommend is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, so you know you are always betting on a safe and trustworthy site. Check out the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers here. Gamble responsibly Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too. We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Transfer news: Latest on Isak, Dibling and pre-season updates
Update: Date: 08:18 BST Title: Premier League deals done so far this summer Content: Initial fee with add-ons in brackets Arsenal Aston Villa Bournemouth Brentford Brighton Burnley Chelsea Crystal Palace Everton Fulham Leeds Liverpool Manchester City Manchester United Newcastle Nottingham Forest Sunderland Tottenham West Ham Wolves *City sources say deal worth £27m, Burnley say £31m Update: Date: 08:09 BST Title: Get Involved - transfer wish for your club Content: Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say We want to hear from you - and today we want to know the one transfer wish you have for your club before the window closes on 1 September. Get in touch using the 'Get Involved' link at the top of this page. Update: Date: 08:01 BST Title: Good morning! Content: It's 1 August and for football fans across Europe that is reason to be excited - the new season is almost upon us! It also means there is just a month left before the transfer window slams shut and so many teams have business they still want/ need/ simply must do. What will today bring on the transfer front? Anything is possible and we'll have you covered on any developments and breaking news from the world of football as it happens.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Weird version of Chelsea' – EFL club launch new badge like ‘lion with lollipop and first aid box'
Fans have had plenty to say about the new design BADGE OF HONOUR 'Weird version of Chelsea' – EFL club launch new badge like 'lion with lollipop and first aid box' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PETERBOROUGH UNITED have revealed their new club crest. And fans have had plenty to say about the novel design. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Peterborough have unveiled their new club crest The League One side have confirmed that the modernised badge will be used from June 2026 onwards. Peterborough have conducted a thorough design process, consulting with supporters along the way. The current round badge features winged lions facing a shield, with the club's name and motto "Upon This Rock - but has been called "outdated" by the club. Posh's new logo will feature just one lion, holding a pair of keys in a nod to St Peter, who the city is named after. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL 'OFFICIALLY SHUT' Iconic ex-EFL team set to fold after 105yrs as shock statement released Upon the announcement of the new crest, Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony said: "We have to evolve, and branding is a massive part of that. "I look at the big clubs and see how they are evolving, we have to modernise and we have to move with the times." On the design process, the Irishman, 49, added: "I was sceptical about the whole project at first, but having seen the journey that we have been on, and how we have involved supporters, it just makes sense. "We are evolving in our commercial department, we are evolving on the pitch and in the boardroom, and so our brand has to evolve. When I first saw it, it blew me away. I love it! I am really excited by it all." BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 3 Peterborough will switch from this crest next summer Peterborough believe that their new "digital-first ethos" can "attract new audiences" - while reflecting their "identity" and being more merchandise friendly. Commenting on the new crest, one fan wrote on X: "A lion with a lollipop and a first aid box." Neil Warnock hints at shock return to management with 'unbelievable' crisis club While a second claimed: "The main issue I have is looking at it, you don't think 'oh yeah that's Peterborough', you just think it's a weird version of Chelsea." A third reasoned: "Not sure you can say it's "unique and instantly recognisable". It's only instantly recognisable as looking like Chelsea and therefore not unique at all." And a fourth commented: "You can't say instantly recognisable but not have the club name on the badge. You want to appeal to a new audience, say someone abroad sees the badge but has no idea what club it is, how do you expect to grow?" Another Posh fan added: "I like how we have to 'move with the times' for reasons unclear to anyone. Seems like we're only doing it because bigger clubs are doing it." Peterborough are set to get their League One campaign underway this weekend. Darren Ferguson's side will face Cardiff City in the Welsh capital tomorrow lunchtime.
