Wonder kid Estêvão Willian could hardly have introduced himself to Chelsea fans in a more spectacular fashion.
On what was his final appearance for Palmeiras, the 18-year-old Brazilian sensation left a lasting impression—scoring a stunning equaliser from an almost impossible angle in a Club World Cup quarter-final clash against the very club he is set to join.
While Chelsea ultimately triumphed 2–1 thanks to a late own goal by Palmeiras defender Giay Agustin, it was Estêvão’s dazzling moment of brilliance that stole the spotlight—a thrilling preview of the prodigious talent the Blues secured in a deal that could eventually rise to £52 million.
The Perfect Send-Off
Estêvão’s farewell performance for Palmeiras was a captivating showcase of his raw ability, flair, and fearlessness. Nicknamed ‘Messinho’ for his Messi-like dribbling and movement, the teenager tormented Chelsea’s defence in Philadelphia with direct runs and dazzling footwork. His composed finish—blasted off the bar from a tight angle—was his final gift to Palmeiras fans, and an exciting promise of what’s to come for Chelsea.
The west London club beat the likes of Bayern Munich, PSG, and Manchester City to sign the São Paulo-born winger last summer, allowing him to remain in Brazil for the 2024–25 season before joining them officially next term.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was left thrilled by both the victory and the glimpse of his future star:
“Happy because we won, and also happy because Estêvão scored—the perfect night,” he said.
“He is very good, a huge talent, a fantastic player. When you come from South America, adapting is the key. We’ll help him settle, be happy and enjoy his football. We have no doubt—he will be an important player for Chelsea.”
Estêvão was a constant menace down the right flank, recording eight touches inside Chelsea’s penalty box—more than any of his teammates—and was deservedly named Man of the Match.
Palmer: “You Can See He’s Top Class”
After the final whistle, Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer was seen chatting with Estêvão.
“You can see he is a top player—it’s very exciting,” Palmer said.
“I told him we’re all excited for him to join, but I don’t think he understood a single word I said!”
The emotional scenes continued into the post-match press conference, where Estêvão and Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira were visibly tearful as they reflected on their journey together.
Ferreira paid tribute to the youngster, telling reporters:
“I told Maresca: you’ve bought an amazing player—but more than that, an amazing person. You need to take care of him. He’ll make mistakes, but you saw tonight—he has the ability to win a game on his own.”
Estêvão, speaking with composure well beyond his years, added:
“Palmeiras opened the door for me. I was deeply happy here. I’m proud I could score one last goal to help my club—even if it wasn’t the result we wanted. We gave our all, and now I move on.”
Best Brazilian Prospect Since Neymar?
While Brazil has produced a steady stream of prodigies—Vinícius Jr, Rodrygo, Endrick—Estêvão is being tipped by many as the most gifted since Neymar.
“Estêvão is the best player to emerge from Brazil since Neymar,” said João Paulo Sampaio, head of Palmeiras’ academy, told local media.
“He already impresses with his technique, but he hasn’t fully matured physically yet—he’s not as strong as Endrick. That’s what amazes people. He has room to develop and reach an even higher level.”
Palmeiras first tried to sign Estêvão when he was just 10, but Cruzeiro offered a deal reportedly ten times larger. He eventually returned—and at 16, signed a record-breaking sponsorship deal with Nike, becoming the youngest Brazilian to do so, surpassing Neymar and Rodrygo.
Despite being dubbed ‘Messinho’ early in his career for his Messi-like style, Estêvão has made it clear he no longer wants the nickname.
“Forget about Messinho,” Sampaio said. “His name is Estêvão—and he’s writing his own story.”
Mentally Unshakable
Estêvão’s character off the pitch is just as remarkable. Sampaio shared a story from the 2022 U-17 Brazilian Championship final, where Estêvão broke a toe mid-game.
“He told me at half-time, ‘I’ll go back and score.’ He had an injection, returned, scored, and then looked for me in the stands to shush me. That’s how strong he is mentally.”
Why Chelsea?
Some in Brazil have questioned Estêvão’s decision to join Chelsea, citing the club’s instability and their recent struggles to develop other young Brazilian talents like Andrey Santos, Deivid Washington, and Ângelo Gabriel. But Estêvão’s team is confident.
“We’re not concerned,” his representatives told reporters . “Chelsea offers a quicker path to first-team football than most top clubs.”
His eyes are firmly on the 2026 World Cup, and his mission is clear: to hit the ground running in West London.
Sampaio added:
“With Estêvão, it’s not about choosing the easiest path—he’s the type who goes wherever he wants and makes it work. He’s extra class. And when you’re extra class, you don’t wait—you dominate.”