Pedro Neto Offered Compassionate Leave After Death of Close Friend Diogo Jota
The tragic death of Diogo Jota has cast a long shadow over football, and for Pedro Neto, it has brought overwhelming grief. Neto, now with Chelsea, has been granted compassionate leave by the club while in the United States for the FIFA Club World Cup. The winger’s emotional state and his bond with Jota, described as a close friend, have taken precedence over his footballing commitments.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca confirmed that Neto has the full backing of the club to take whatever time he needs. With their quarter-final clash against Palmeiras in Philadelphia approaching, the focus has rightly shifted away from tactics and competition to a deep sense of loss and compassion.
“This is an incredibly sorrowful day,” Maresca said, as quoted by The Guardian.
“Words escape me, it’s a challenging situation. One feels somewhat powerless in moments like this.”
“I can only extend my heartfelt condolences to [Jota’s] family. This is a significant tragedy for them. Regarding Pedro, he is deeply affected – perhaps more than just sad. We stand by Pedro to support him.”
Neto’s Mourning Reflects Genuine Human Connection
Neto was excused from Chelsea’s training session on Thursday, a decision made with full sensitivity to his emotional well-being. The forward and Jota first forged their friendship during their time at Wolverhampton Wanderers between 2018 and 2020. Arriving at Molineux as rising Portuguese stars, they played vital roles for Wolves before securing high-profile moves to Chelsea and Liverpool respectively.
The closeness they shared was evident to those within their clubs and the national setup. For Neto, Jota was more than a teammate or fellow professional. He was a close friend, someone with whom he shared formative years in football. Their bond makes this loss deeply personal.
Maresca underlined that the decision for Neto to play in the upcoming match would rest solely with him.
“Since I didn’t see him in training earlier, the decision to play rests entirely with Pedro. I spoke with him this morning, and we are here to support him. Whatever choice he makes is the right one.”
Such words are not just managerial platitudes. They reflect a genuine understanding of the human side of sport, where personal relationships and compassion must take priority over performance.
Photo: IMAGO
Support from Teammates Adds Comfort in Difficult Moment
Neto has also found strength from those around him at Chelsea. Left-back Marc Cucurella spoke openly about the dressing room’s effort to rally around their teammate in a time of sorrow.
“The manager and he must decide but it’s important that Pedro feels good,” Cucurella said.
“In the [Thursday] morning he was sad and it was not his best moment.
“But we tried to stay together and in the afternoon he was a bit better and I told him that if he’s going to play then he will score because that is destiny,” the Spaniard added.
“Hopefully we can show his love and all the good friends that we are and dedicate the goal to him.”
Cucurella’s comments speak volumes about the emotional weight within the squad and highlight the importance of friendship and team unity beyond the pitch.
While Chelsea and Neto deal with the immediate aftermath of Jota’s death, broader tributes are being prepared. The BBC has reported that the Football Association plans to contact Liverpool regarding a tribute during next month’s Community Shield final.
Such gestures will resonate across the game, not only as a mark of respect for Jota but also as a reminder of the deeply personal relationships that underpin elite sport. The values of empathy, friendship and compassion now shine through far more than any result on the field.
In moments like this, football pauses, not for silence but for reflection. It remembers that the people who grace its stadiums, its screens and its narratives are human beings first.