By Daily Sports Nigeria on July 5, 2025

Estevao Willian could hardly have introduced himself to Chelsea in a better way.

When the 18-year-old Brazilian smashed home an equaliser for Palmeiras against the Blues from an acute angle on Saturday - Chelsea fans could have been forgiven for feeling a little bit excited.

Yes, he had just equalised against their side in the Club World Cup quarter-final but it was also a thrilling glimpse of the talent Chelsea have signed in a deal that could eventually be worth £52m.

A late Palmeiras own goal meant it is ultimately Chelsea who are looking forward to a semi-final against Fluminense, but Estevao's last game for the Brazilian side was certainly a memorable one.

The Blues beat the likes of Bayern Munich, Paris St-Germain and Manchester City to sign the Palmeiras wonderkid last summer - but allowed him to stay in Brazil last season and to play for them in this summer's Club World Cup.

And, while they may have been regretting that decision as his direct running and silky skills tormented them in Philadelphia, anyone connected with Chelsea could not fail but to be excited by what they saw.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said: "I'm happy because we won and also happy because Estevao scored, the perfect night.

"He is very good, a huge talent, fantastic player. The only thing is when you come from South America or another part of the world, you need to adapt.

"We are going to help him to adapt. We have no doubt he will be an important player for Chelsea."

The forward was a constant threat down Palmeiras' right, had the most touches in Chelsea's box for his side (eight) and was awarded man of the match.

Blues midfielder Cole Palmer, who talked to Estevao after the final whistle, added: "You can see he is a top player, so it is very exciting.

"I just said to him we are excited for him to join - but he didn't understand a single word I said!"

Estevao and Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira were tearful at the post-match news conference as they reflected on their time together.

Ferreira said: "I spoke before with Maresca and told him: 'You bought an amazing player but more than this you bought an amazing person. You need to embrace him. In the beginning he will make mistakes but he is an amazing player with a lot of skill.'

"He is a player who can win a game alone."

Estevao emphasised how grateful he is for the chance Palmeiras gave him.

"Palmeiras opened the door for me. I was deeply happy in Palmeiras and my family knows how happy I was," he said.

"I'm very happy I could score a goal to help my club. Unfortunately this wasn't the result we wanted but we gave our best and now I am moving on."

Other Brazilian teenagers such as Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo left for Europe at the same age for huge fees.

They have both proved themselves on the big stages since then. But none of them were as hyped as Estevao when they first moved abroad.

There is a feeling in Brazil that the boy from the countryside of Sao Paulo may be something else - the kind of player that comes along once a decade and seems destined for the very top.

"Estevao is the best player to have emerged from Brazilian football since Neymar. You watch him and you fall in love," the head of Palmeiras' academy, Joao Paulo Sampaio, told BBC Sport.

"He already impresses with his technique but, like Neymar at this same point in his career, he has not yet matured physically and is not as strong as Endrick, so he could still develop a lot.

"That's what amazes everyone and makes them think that he will reach a much higher level."

Estevao is a member of the so-called "geracao do bilhao" - a generation of players that also includes Real Madrid's Endrick and West Ham's Luis Guilherme and with whom Palmeiras expected to make 1bn Brazilian Real (about £152m).

All three have been making waves since they were kids - Estevao himself was only 10 the first time Palmeiras tried to lure him to their academy, but failed to match an offer reportedly 10 times higher from Cruzeiro.

He then became the youngest Brazilian footballer to sign a contract with Nike, surpassing Neymar (13) and Rodrygo (11), and became known as 'Messinho' ('Little Messi') for his ability to change direction and dribble past opponents while running with the ball at speed.

It hardly came as a surprise to those who had been following him when Spanish newspaper AS said during the 2023 Under-17 World Cup that 'Brazil have a new genius'.

Despite the similarities with Lionel Messi, Estevao has stated he does not want to be called 'Messinho' any more.

It is not only his left foot that leaves others fascinated, but also the mentality he already possesses. Sampaio recalls an episode that illustrated that.

"When we won the 2022 Under-17 Brazilian Championship title, Estevao ended up breaking one of his toes during a decisive game," he said.

"But even so he still didn't want to leave [the game], so he came to me at half-time saying: 'I'll go back for the second half.'

"And I challenged him: 'You better go back.' And so he had a painkilling injection in his toe and told me: 'I'll go back, score a goal and look for you in the stands to shush you.' That's how strong he is mentally."

A right winger who can also play as number 10, Estevao has always been treated differently.

He was still five months away from being able to sign his first senior contract at the age of 16 when Palmeiras, in an unusual move, announced they had agreed the terms of it.

His decision to choose Chelsea as the next step in his career has been questioned back home, due to the confusing situation of the English club and their recent record with young Brazilians such as Andrey Santos, Deivid Washington and Angelo Gabriel.

Estevao's staff have told BBC Sport they have no concerns whatsoever about it and added they believe a transfer to London will give him a chance to break into the team more quickly compared to other clubs.

With the 2026 World Cup as his main goal, the plan is to hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge.

"With Estevao it's not a matter of whether this place is easier or not because he's the kind of player that just goes there and gets things done. When you are an extra-class like him, that's how you do it," Sampaio concluded.

Source BBC Sports

Posted July 5, 2025

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