Pedro Neto Embraces Most Handsome Title Ahead of Colombia Clash

Pedro Neto wore the grin of a man who knew exactly what he was doing.

Fresh from being anointed the tournament’s “most handsome” player, the Portugal winger leaned into the joke with the same confidence he shows hugging the touchline. This, he insisted, was no surprise in the dressing room.

“I think I'm not surprised at all! It's something completely normal. It wasn't even a topic in the dressing room because the group unanimously agreed that I'm the most handsome,” he laughed, fully embracing his new, tongue‑in‑cheek status as the competition’s leading face.

The laughter stopped, though, when the conversation turned to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo’s obsession, Portugal’s fuel

Ronaldo had just rattled in a brace in a ruthless 5-0 dismantling of Uzbekistan, a reminder that even deep into his career, the Portugal captain still treats goals like oxygen. Neto made it clear: that obsession drives everyone around him.

“It was obvious that the group was happy for him, especially because we know that he lives for goals, he is obsessed with it. We like to see the best doing what he loves most,” Neto said, the tone shifting from playful to reverent.

That hunger is contagious. Neto admitted that Portugal’s attackers feel a specific responsibility in this World Cup: help Ronaldo keep scoring.

“Playing with the pressure of helping him score in the World Cup is an extra motivation. We really want to help him achieve this goal, especially for everything he has already given to Portugal.”

It is a striking admission. In a squad packed with talent and egos of its own, the collective mission still bends towards the No. 7. Not as a burden, but as a driving force.

No calculations, just Colombia

The table leaves no room for comfort. Portugal sit second in Group K, two points behind Colombia. The maths is simple: their final group game is a straight shootout for top spot.

In tournaments like this, teams often start peeking at the bracket, working out which route to the final looks softer. Neto didn’t deny those conversations exist, but he was adamant they won’t dictate how Portugal play.

“To be honest, sometimes we look at the scenarios if we finish second or third, but the most important thing is to maintain our mentality,” the Chelsea winger said. “We want to be the best and we are going to face Colombia to win and finish in first place.”

No talk of dodging giants. No hint of easing off. Just a clear statement: Portugal want to top the group on merit.

They will have to earn it. Colombia arrive in form, confident, and a world away from the outmatched Uzbekistan side Portugal just tore apart. The step up in intensity will be sharp.

From “most handsome” to most decisive?

That is exactly the kind of stage Neto craves. The social media clips and light-hearted awards are one thing. Delivering when the stakes spike is another.

The showdown with Colombia, one of the standout fixtures of the final round of group games, offers him that platform. Portugal will look again to Ronaldo’s ruthless finishing, but they will also need the incision, daring and creativity from wide players like Neto to unpick a well-drilled South American defence.

Saturday’s kick-off comes in tandem with DR Congo vs Uzbekistan, the group concluding in a simultaneous crescendo. While others watch the permutations, Portugal’s task is brutally clear: win, and stride into the knockouts with authority.

Whether Neto leaves this tournament still officially crowned the “most handsome” is a sideshow. What will really endure is whether he can turn that easy charisma into decisive moments when Colombia stand in the way of first place.