Chelsea star Pedro Neto has penned a heartfelt tribute to Diogo Jota, and has vowed he will try to win the Club World Cup for his former teammate on the eve of the final.
Tributes continue to flood in for Jota and his brother Andre Silva after they died in a car accident in Spain. Liverpool’s players accompanied Jota’s wife Rute and his family as they laid flowers at Anfield on Friday, having also been present at the funeral in Portugal last weekend.
The Reds are set to play their first game since the brothers’ deaths tomorrow, with more tributes planned ahead of kick-off against Preston.
Chelsea will also be in action on Sunday as it faces Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the Club World Cup, with Jota set to be in Neto’s memory as he aims to help the Blues to become world champions.
The pair were of course teammates at Wolves and with Portugal, with Neto paying tribute to Jota and his brother before Chelsea’s quarter-final against Palmeiras.
Ahead of the final, Neto has written a touching tribute to Jota as he looked back over his memories with Liverpool’s No.20.
“When I step onto the pitch on Sunday, know that I want to win this competition for Diogo Jota,” Neto wrote on Chelsea’s club website.
Pedro Neto paid tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva before Chelsea's quarter-final at the Club World Cup
Pedro Neto paid tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva before Chelsea's quarter-final at the Club World Cup
“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.
“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 players – 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.”
Pedro Neto and Diogo Jota
Pedro Neto was a teammate of Diogo Jota's for Wolves and Portugal
Neto added: “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.
Liverpool's players and staff accompanied Diogo Jota's wife Rute and his family to Anfield on Friday
Liverpool's players and staff accompanied Diogo Jota's wife Rute and his family to Anfield on Friday (Image: Getty Images)
“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.”
Ahead of its first game since Jota’s death, Liverpool has confirmed it will be retiring his number 20 jersey across all levels of the club, having consulted with his wife and family.
"By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal — and therefore never to be forgotten,” FSG CEO of Football Michael Edwards said. “Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us number 20, and he wore — with honour, distinction and affection — the number 20.
"As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20."