As Chelsea prepares to face Palmeiras in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals, a sudden wave of grief has cast a shadow over the squad. One of the Blues’ standout performers in the tournament so far, may be absent from the crucial fixture — and possibly the remainder of the competition.
While Enzo Maresca’s men remain fully focused on progressing toward the final, the attention has understandably shifted to one player’s personal grief. The club confirmed that forward Pedro Neto has been deeply affected by the passing of his close friend and former teammate, and his presence in the matchday squad now hangs in the balance.
The shocking death of Diogo Jota, announced on Thursday, sent ripples through the soccer world. The 28-year-old Liverpool and Portugal forward, along with his brother Andre Silva, lost their lives in a car crash in Spain. The news not only devastated fans and clubs but also struck an intensely personal chord with Pedro Neto, who shared both the dressing room and a strong bond with Jota.
The pair played together at Wolverhampton during the 2019-20 season, making 21 joint appearances across domestic and European competitions. They continued their soccer journey together in the Portuguese national team, with their final appearance coming in a 3-1 win over Poland during the UEFA Nations League group stage.
Now, just days after netting a goal against Benfica in the Round of 16, Neto has been granted compassionate leave and did not participate in Thursday’s training session.
What did Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca say?
In his pre-match press conference, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca acknowledged the emotional toll the tragedy has taken on his player. He made it clear that Neto’s inclusion in the squad against Palmeiras will depend solely on how he feels.
“In terms of Pedro [Neto], he’s very sad, probably more than sad,” Maresca said. “It’s completely Pedro’s decision [to play]. We support him. Any decision he will take is the correct one, and we are going to support him in any case.”
He added: “It doesn’t matter if he’ll be on the pitch or not. We’ll see how he’s feeling, but in any case, we’re going to support him.”
