Neto and Jota were teammates in the Portuguese national team and played together 21 times. They shared a strong bond, and Jota's passing will undoubtedly be difficult for Neto to cope with.
“It's a very sad day,” Maresca said. “I'm struggling to find the right words to express my feelings. The tragedy has left everyone feeling helpless.”
The Chelsea manager expressed his condolences to Jota's family and offered his support to Neto. “It's completely Pedro's decision whether to play or not. We'll support him either way. If he's not feeling up to it, we'll respect his decision.”
Neto and Jota last played together in October 2024, when Portugal defeated Poland 3-1. Given the circumstances, it's unlikely that Neto will feature in the match against Palmeiras, but Chelsea will be there to support him.
