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Pedro Neto Could Miss Chelsea's Game Vs Palmeiras- Here's Why
Getty Images - Heuler Andrey/Eurasia Sport Images

Pedro Neto Could Miss Chelsea's Game Vs Palmeiras- Here's Why

Originally posted on Athlon Sports  |  By Emmanuel Mendez  |  Last updated Jul 4, 2025 1:18 PM ET

Chelsea are set to face Palmeiras in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals. Enzo Maresca's team is fully focused on reaching the semifinals and potentially the final, but they may have to do so without one of their best performers.

Pedro Neto has scored three goals for Chelsea in the Club World Cup this summer and scored against Benfica last weekend in the Round of 16. 

Despite the impressive form, Neto may not play against Palmeiras and for the rest of the tournament. 

This is due to the passing of Diogo Jota, who was a teammate of Neto at Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Portuguese winger was affected by the news of the passing of Jota yesterday.

Neto did not appear in the Chelsea training session yesterday ahead of the quarterfinals match against Palmeiras. 

Ezno Maresca on Pedro Neto's situation

In a press conference ahead of the quarterfinals, Maresca spoke about how Neto has been feeling and answered whether the player will feature in the game against Palmeiras. 

Enzo Maresca: In terms of Pedro [Neto], he's very sad, probably more than sad... 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... 

Chelsea, along with other clubs like Bayern Munich, PSG, and Real Madrid , held a minute of silence for Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva before their training sessions. 

Reports suggest that Pedro Neto may miss the rest of the Blues' Club World Cup campaign. Neto was one of Diogo Jota's closest friends. 

Pedro Neto and Diogo Jota

Neto and Jota played 21 matches together across their time at Wolves and with the Portugal national team. Neto and Jota played together at Wolves in the 2019-20 season.

Their last game together at Wolves was in a Europa League quarterfinal game against Sevilla. Their last game together was with the Portugal national team, in a 3-1 win over Poland in the 2024-25 group stage match of the UEFA Nations League.

Neto's teammate Marc Cucurella spoke on how the Portuguese winger has been feeling over the passing of Jota and mentions how he and the rest of the team have supported him after the sad loss.

Marc Cucurella: "Football is secondary... In the morning, he [Neto] 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 if he's going to play then he will score because that is destiny. Hopefully, we can show his love and all the good friends that we are and dedicate the goal to him."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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