Pedro Neto will play no part in Portugal’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers after the Chelsea winger withdrew from the national squad due to a groin injury sustained at the weekend.
Pedro Neto has withdrawn from the Portugal squad ahead of their World Cup qualifying matches against the Republic of Ireland and Armenia. The Chelsea winger was substituted in the 77th minute of the Blues’ 3-0 victory over Wolves last weekend after suffering a groin issue.
Following medical assessments and discussions between Chelsea and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), Neto has now been released to continue his recovery in London.
An official FPF statement confirmed: “Pedro Neto and Pedro Goncalves have been released from the national team for the matches against the Republic of Ireland and Armenia.”
The statement added: “The Portuguese international winger will not join Martinez’s squad, in a decision made jointly by Chelsea’s medical department and the FPF’s Health and Performance Department, due to physical problems that limit the player.”
Neto, who has netted three goals across all competitions this season, did not feature in Chelsea’s recent Champions League trip to Qarabag. However, he returned to start and score against his former club Wolves before being forced off late in the match.
The 25-year-old becomes the second Chelsea player to withdraw from international duty, after Enzo Fernandez pulled out of Argentina’s squad with a knee problem