While Chelsea have utilised the Club World Cup to introduce a number of new players, another exciting young star is also present at the tournament, wrapping up his time with his current team before making the switch to Stamford Bridge.
Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, Andrey Santos, and Mamadou Sarr all made their Chelsea debuts during the group stage held in the United States.
On the other hand, 18-year-old winger Estevao Willian is part of the Palmeiras squad gearing up to face Botafogo in an all-Brazilian clash in the last 16 in Philadelphia this Saturday.
A deal with the São Paulo club was reached by Chelsea just over a year ago, agreeing to pay a total of €57 million (£48.5 million), inclusive of bonuses, to secure this promising teenager’s services—he is set to relocate to England in time for the upcoming Premier League season.
“It’s very challenging. I will be fulfilling a dream, but right now, I need to focus on the tasks at hand here,” he shared with Brazilian media earlier this week when discussing his upcoming transfer.
“As it draws closer, the anxiety intensifies, and I feel the butterflies in my stomach.”
Estevao was among the top scorers in the Brazilian league last season as Palmeiras secured the runner-up position, and he was awarded the Golden Ball as the league’s best player—an impressive accolade achieved when he was still just 17.
He is a quick-footed winger reminiscent of Neymar, possessing dazzling skills and a tendency to cut in from the right onto his left foot.
Estevao made his debut for the senior national team during a World Cup qualifier against Ecuador last September, and he earned his first start for Brazil against the same team earlier this month during Carlo Ancelotti’s debut as coach.
“I see what everyone sees—a unique player with extraordinary talent,” Ancelotti commented about Estevao, who Neymar has labelled Brazil’s next “genius”.
After shining for Brazil, Estevao joined Palmeiras at the Club World Cup, where they qualified for FIFA’s expanded tournament following their Copa Libertadores victory in 2021.
Messinho
Estevao joined Palmeiras from the youth ranks of Cruzeiro, the Belo Horizonte club where the legendary Brazilian striker Ronaldo first captured attention.
He made his senior debut for ‘Verdao’ (The Big Green) at the age of 16 in late 2023, alongside Endrick, another teenage Brazilian talent now making waves at Real Madrid.
Fast forward to today, Estevao—primarily a right winger but also comfortable in a central attacking midfield role—has started all three matches in the Club World Cup so far, sporting the number 41.
Palmeiras began their tournament with a draw against FC Porto, followed by a win against Al Ahly from Egypt, before staging a commendable comeback from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw against Inter Miami.
That match allowed Estevao to play alongside his idol, Lionel Messi, as they exchanged shirts at half-time.
“It was incredible, sensational. I’ve been watching him play since I was a child. I choose him as my character in video games. Playing against him was such a pleasure,” said Estevao, who has affectionately been nicknamed Messinho.
This result enabled them to top Group A, setting up a clash with local rivals Botafogo—should they win, and if Chelsea triumph over Benfica later that day, Estevao will face his future teammates in the quarter-finals in Philadelphia on July 4.
“Many are asking me why we chose Chelsea, but they don’t realise just how much Chelsea wanted me and how great their belief in my potential is,” Estevao expressed in an article for the Players’ Tribune website on his 18th birthday in April.
“Those who question the decision are unaware of the project presented to us. For a young player, these aspects are incredibly significant, and I believe we’ve made the right choice to head to London.
“In the meantime, I just want to savour these final months with Palmeiras.”
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Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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