A serious ankle injury cruelly denied Pedro Neto the opportunity to represent Portugal at the 2022 World Cup. That absence four years ago has fuelled the Chelsea winger’s desire to make an impression at this summer’s tournament.
Neto is one of several Blues set to feature on the global stage for the first time. He has 25 Portugal caps to his name and scored his second goal for his country in their final warm-up game before the tournament, firing in during the 2-1 success against Nigeria.
With group games against DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia ahead, Neto spoke exclusively to us on his feelings ahead of the tournament and why he is determined to make up for lost time in Qatar.
‘It’s a lot of motivation for my part,’ says Neto in the interview, which you can watch in full above.
'I want to be there to help the team and to try to win it for the fans and for the family and for all my friends that I know I represent when I go there.
‘I used to look to all the competitions Portugal were in and to be a part of one, it’s like a dream come true, to be honest.’
Portugal's 2026 World Cup group stage fixtures
Portugal vs DR Congo
Group K
Houston Stadium
Wednesday 17 June
6pm (UK)
Portugal vs Uzbekistan
Group K
Houston Stadium
Tuesday 23 June
6pm (UK)
Colombia vs Portugal
Group K
Miami Stadium
Sunday 28 June
12.30am (UK)