The Chelsea players have decided to honour Diogo Jota and his brother by donating a portion of their FIFA Club World Cup bonuses to their family.
On July 13, Chelsea Club won the World Cup after a surprising 3-0 victory over Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
As a result of the victory, the English club was estimated to take home around £85 million for winning the tournament, which was held in 12 different venues in the United States.
The final was played less than two weeks after the tragic accident that claimed the lives of Liverpool star Jota and his brother André Silva in Cernadilla, Spain.
In light of this, it has now been revealed that the Chelsea players have decided to donate a portion of their Club World Cup prizes to the brothers’ family in a heartbreaking gesture.
As revealed in a report by The Athletic, Chelsea were awarded a bonus fund of $15.5 million to be distributed equally among the players who represented the club in the Club World Cup.
However, after discussions between the club and the players, it was decided that an equal amount should also be given to Jota’s family, with a total donation of around $500,000.
Close friendship with Pedro Neto
Throughout his career, Jota had a close relationship with Chelsea winger Pedro Neto, with whom he played for both Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Portuguese national team.
Before Chelsea’s quarter-final win over Palmeiras, which was played just two days after Jota’s death, Neto was seen holding back tears while wearing a Chelsea shirt with his brothers’ names on it.
In a tribute on Instagram, Neto wrote:
“My dear friend Jota. What a husband, for a husband, for a father, for a teammate, and for a friend… Your infectious laugh that made us all laugh non-stop. I learned a lot from you, and as you often said, ‘There are no fantasies in the world.’
You’re great, and you always will be, and that’s how we’ll remember you forever. We will never forget you—watch over us.”
Liverpool honoured Jota and his brother with heartfelt gestures
Before the start of the 2025/26 season, Liverpool announced plans to build a memorial sculpture at Anfield as a permanent tribute to Jota.
The club also announced that they are permanently retiring the number 20 shirt at all levels of the club in memory of the striker, who scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the Reds.
Players and spectators will hold a minute’s silence for Jota and his brother before Liverpool’s game against Bournemouth on Friday, and Liverpool players will wear a “Forever 20” badge on their shirts and training jackets throughout the season.
