"When I step onto the pitch on Sunday, I want to win it for Jota," Neto stated on Chelsea's official website. "He will always be with me and will always be remembered. My thoughts are still with Jota, his brother Andre Silva, and their family. This is an incredibly difficult moment."

Pedro Neto (left) posted a photo with Diogo Jota on his Instagram Story after the Portuguese forward's death in a car accident.

Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, were killed in a car accident on 3/7. They were traveling in a Lamborghini Huracan on the A52 highway, approximately 110 km west of Valladolid, Spain. While attempting to overtake another vehicle, Jota's car reportedly suffered a tire blowout, causing it to lose control, flip multiple times, and catch fire. Neither brother survived.

Neto and Jota played together at Wolves under manager Nuno Espirito Santo. They were also part of the Portugal squad that won the UEFA Nations League in June.

Neto recalled joining Wolves in 2019, where several Portuguese players, including Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Ruben Vinagre, Rui Patricio, and Jota, were already present. The 25-year-old forward expressed his gratitude for Jota's support in helping him acclimate to the new environment, as Jota was a key player at the time.

"We were very close and spent a lot of time together off the pitch. We stayed in touch until now, and those memories will stay with me for the rest of my life. That’s why it's so hard not having Jota here," Neto shared.

Manager Enzo Maresca initially considered resting Neto for the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final match against Palmeiras following the shock of Jota's death. However, the Portuguese forward started the game, wearing a shirt with the names of both Jota brothers, which he held up during a minute of silence.

"It wouldn't be right for me not to play. Knowing Jota's character, he would want us to play," Neto explained. "I have the feeling that Jota is still protecting all those close to him. That’s why I want to be a warrior for him. This will be my second final with Chelsea, and we can become world champions. I want to win this for Jota."

Neto's career has taken him from Braga to Lazio, then Wolves, before joining Chelsea for a fee of 65 million USD in the summer of 2024. He has scored 9 goals in 50 appearances and recently won the Conference League with the club in 5/2025.

Hong Duy (via Daily Mail)