Portugal takes the field against Colombia with Pedro Neto inspired

Portugal faces Colombia this Saturday, July 27, at 8:30 p.m. Brasília time, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Winger Pedro Neto, one of the team's standout performers at the 2026 World Cup, used the press conference to reveal that Neymar was his childhood idol and that the Brazilian's career left a lasting mark on him.

Who is Pedro Neto and why talk about Neymar?

Pedro Neto, 25, plays for Chelsea in the Premier League and has been a regular call‑up for Fernando Santos since the qualifiers. In Thursday's briefing, July 25, he said: “Neymar marked my childhood with his way of playing and experiencing football.” The comment came right after Neymar’s World Cup debut, when Brazil beat Scotland 2‑0 on Wednesday, July 24.

How does admiring Neymar fit Portugal’s context?

Referencing Neymar illustrates how global stars influence the new generation of Portuguese players. Neto explained that the Brazilian’s joyful, creative style inspired him to seek more freedom in attacking moves. That mindset could be vital against Colombia, which has been playing a physical, disciplined game in the early stages.

What to expect from the Portugal vs Colombia clash?

Portugal arrives unbeaten, with three points from its first two matches. The squad features Cristiano Ronaldo, João Félix and Neto, who has already logged two assists in the tournament. Colombia, meanwhile, is hunting its first point after a 1‑1 draw with South Korea. The game will decide who advances as the Group H leader.

Why does Neto’s interview stand out?

Beyond showing a personal side, the interview reinforces the narrative that Portugal is absorbing global influences to sharpen its attacking play. Mentioning Neymar—potential future opponent in knockout rounds—shows respect and a willingness to learn from the best. This attitude may push teammates to raise their creative level against Colombia’s defense.

What’s Portugal’s next step?

A win over Colombia would secure top spot in the group and let Portugal pick its opponent for the round of 16. A draw would still leave the outcome dependent on the Colombia‑South Korea result. Coach Fernando Santos emphasized that the team is focused on tactical discipline and exploiting chances created by the wide players, like Neto.

Where to watch the match?

The game will be streamed live on FIFA’s official broadcasters and the licensed streaming platforms across Latin America. Fans can also use the promotional code shared on social media to unlock exclusive content on FIFA’s official platforms.