Ruben Neves says Diogo Jota's memory will spur Portugal on at next year's World Cup and make them more determined than ever to win the trophy.

Jota, who had 49 caps and scored 14 goals for his country, died along with his brother Andre Silva in a car crash at the beginning of July.

Neves played with the late Portuguese international for both the national side and Wolves, and was a close friend of his for many years.

Indeed, Neves helped to carry Jota's coffin just hours after competing in the Club World Cup with Al-Hilal in the United States.

He said: "We were already eager to do this [win the World Cup] for Portugal, but now we have even more motivation.

Jota had won the Nations League with his country just a month before he passed away, and Neves believes the Portugal players have benefitted from his presence in the side over the years.

He added: "I think each of us [in the national team] has inherited a little bit of what Diogo was on the pitch, and we're going to do our best to help him win that title [the World Cup] with us."

Portugal begin their World Cup qualifying campaign against Armenia on September 6.