In the Land of... Pedro Neto: the boy from Viana who conquered Chelsea

Pedro Neto was called up by Roberto Martinez for the Portuguese team at the 2026 World Cup, but the Chelsea winger's story begins long before English stadiums. Born in Viana do Castelo, the player returns to his hometown in the words of those who watched him grow up: a hard-working, fun and irreverent kid, far from the spotlight of the Premier League. ', traveled the streets of Viana do Castelo to hear from neighbors, schoolmates and coaches who shaped Neto's personality.

The image that emerges is that of a young man who balanced his passion for football with a normal life, attending school and playing in the streets of the Monserrate neighborhood, where he was born. Reports highlight his dedication from an early age, training for hours on end in the local field, but also his relaxed nature, capable of turning any training session into a game. Countrymen describe Neto as an example of humility, even after reaching the top of European football.

A youth coach at Gil Vicente, the club where Neto took his first steps, remembers him as a player who never thought he was above others, always willing to help his younger colleagues. His irreverence, in fact, is highlighted as one of the hallmarks of his personality: from an early age, Neto was not afraid to challenge the rules, whether on the field or off it, a characteristic that his neighbors associate with his current success. Martinez's call-up for the 2026 World Cup is just the latest chapter in a journey that began in a coastal city in northern Portugal.

The residents of Viana do Castelo do not hide their pride, but also the naturalness with which they view the projection of their fellow countryman. 'He never changed', sums up a former neighbor. 'He's still that kid who was going to play football with us, even after turning professional'.

Pedro Neto's story is, after all, that of a boy who took his land in his heart — and who now takes his land to the world. Read at RTP Desporto