Pedro Neto sends classy Diogo Jota message as Marc Cucurella supports heartbroken Chelsea star

Pedro Neto has honoured the late Diogo Jota following Chelsea's 3-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final. The 25-year-old winger played a key role in Enzo Maresca's side as the Blues secured a memorable victory at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday night.

Cole Palmer broke the deadlock inside the opening half an hour, stroking the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma into the bottom corner. The 23-year-old midfielder doubled Chelsea's lead a few moments later with an identical strike from just outside the box.

Shortly before the break, João Pedro scored  the third and final goal of the evening. Despite Luis Enrique's best efforts in the second half, the Spaniard couldn't crack Maresca's setup.

After the game, Neto dedicated the victory to Jota, who, alongside his brother, Andre Silva, sadly passed away in a car crash earlier this month. The Chelsea winger was a close friend of the Liverpool striker, having previously played together at Wolves and for Portugal.

Captioning a carousel of pictures from the Club World Cup final, Neto wrote: "WORLD CHAMPIONS [trophy and blue heart emoji]. I have no words to describe this feeling. What a support [shooting star and praying emoji]. Thank you very much, Blues. This one's for you, partner D [dove and white heart emoji]."

Marc Cucurella rushed to the comment section to show his support for the Chelsea ace. He wrote: "You deserve it my friend [blue heart and clapping emoji]."

Speaking to reporters after the game in the United States, Neto said: "I said I would win it for Diogo and Andre. This one is for them and their families, and we are really happy."

Ahead of the PSG clash, Neto penned an emotional message on the official Chelsea website. Opening up on his brief following Jota's passing, the Blues winger 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.

"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."

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