Portugal's Pedro Neto Plays With Intentional Hole in Shoe During World Cup Match

During the 2026 World Cup match between Portugal and Spain, Portuguese player Pedro Neto was seen with a large hole in the heel of his shoe. Initially perceived as a wardrobe malfunction after his shoe fell off during a challenge, it was later revealed that the hole is a deliberate choice by Neto. He has been playing with this hole throughout the tournament as a method to relieve pressure on his heel. This was confirmed when Neto changed shoes mid-game, switching to another pair also featuring the same heel hole. This unique approach reflects a personal comfort strategy rather than a mistake, and it remains to be seen if other players will adopt similar modifications in the future.