Neto is mourning the loss of his close friend Jota, a fellow footballer and past teammate at Wolves. Coach Maresca conveyed his condolences, expressing, “Today is a very sad day. In situations like this, one feels helpless. I can only send my love to Jota’s family. This is a great tragedy for them.” Maresca highlighted that Neto’s participation in the upcoming match against Palmeiras on July 5 will depend on his decision, stating, “I spoke with Pedro this morning. We support him. Any decision he makes will be the right one.”
Defender Marc Cucurella also commented on Neto’s emotional state, noting, “This morning, he was very sad; it was not the best moment for Pedro. But we try to be there for him, and this afternoon he seemed a bit better. Hopefully, we can show him our love and support and dedicate a goal to Jota.”
The Chelsea squad observed a minute of silence during training to honor Jota, who tragically passed away in a car accident with his brother André Silva in Spain on the morning of July 3rd. This loss has deeply affected the football community, but there’s a sense of solidarity and support among teammates as they navigate this difficult time together.
It is heartening to see that in the face of tragedy, the football community is uniting to support one another, highlighting the importance of friendship and solidarity in challenging times.