Chelsea winger Pedro Neto has penned a touching tribute to Diogo Jota after the former Liverpool star tragically died in a car crash aged 28.
Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, were killed in a car crash in northern Spain on July 3 in an incident that shocked the sporting world.
Now, Neto, 25, has paid homage to Jota, who he won the Nations League with for Portugal when they defeat Iberian rivals Spain in the final on June 8.
Neto and Jota played with one another for a year at Wolves before the latter moved to Liverpool in 2020.
Posting a tribute on Chelsea’s club website, he wrote: ‘When I step onto the pitch on Sunday, know that I want to win this competition for Diogo Jota.
‘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.’
Beyond the Portuguese contigent that formed under former Wolves manager Uno Espirito Santo, the pair also played together for the Portuguese national team.
Their time on international duty became more frequent after Neto’s transfer to Chelsea last summer.
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.
‘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.’
Neto is in line to feature for the Blues in Sunday’s Club World Cup final against PSG at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The winger’s tribute comes after Liverpool announced that they would permanently retire the Number 20 jersey from each of their club’s teams to honour Jota.
Jota was an enormously popular player, not just for his talent – his six Premier League goals in the title winning campaign were responsible for boosting Liverpool’s tally by six points – but for his qualities as a man; he was someone who made friends easily and inspired those around him with his attitude.
For that reason, Liverpool have moved to take his number out of service. It is the first time in their history they have made such a decision and it is a reflection of the measure in which he was held.
Michael Edwards, FSG CEO of football, said: ‘As a club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters – and we felt exactly the same way.
‘It was vitally important to us to involve Diogo’s wife, Rute, and his family in the decision and to ensure they were the first to know of our intention.
‘I believe this is the first time in Liverpool Football Club’s history that such an honour has been bestowed upon an individual. Therefore, we can say this is a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person.
‘By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal – and therefore never to be forgotten. 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.’
