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Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian gave Chelsea a taste in the Club World Cup before his high-profile move to the London club.
Brazilian teenage sensation Estevao Willian gave Chelsea fans a thrilling preview of his prodigious talent during Palmeiras’ Club World Cup quarter-final clash against the Blues.
In what was his final appearance for the Brazilian side, Estevao unleashed a spectacular equalizer from a seemingly impossible angle, briefly leveling the match.
Despite his heroics, Palmeiras succumbed 2-1 after a late own goal, sending Chelsea to a semi-final showdown with Fluminense.
The performance solidified Estevao’s growing reputation, coming just months after Chelsea secured his services in a deal potentially worth £52 million.
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The West London club outpaced heavyweights Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester City for his signature.
Though set to join Chelsea next season, Estevao stayed on with Palmeiras to finish their campaign and compete in the global tournament.
While Estevao dazzled with his direct running and flair, earning the man-of-the-match honor and logging eight touches in Chelsea’s box, more than any other Palmeiras player, it was his composure and maturity that impressed most.
According to BBC Sports, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca lauded both the win and the player's impact, noting, "He's a fantastic player with huge talent. Players coming from South America need time to adapt, and we'll support him in that process."
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A Star in the Making
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Estevao’s performance didn not just capture the attention of Chelsea.
The footballing world continues to draw comparisons to the likes of Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, and even Neymar himself.
Joao Paulo Sampaio, head of Palmeiras’ academy, boldly declared “Estevao is the best player to emerge from Brazilian football since Neymar. His technique, his presence—he is captivating to watch. And he still has room to grow.”
Originally nicknamed Messinho (little Messi) for his jaw-dropping dribbling skills, Estevao now prefers to go by his first name, signaling a desire to forge his own identity.
Palmeiras head coach Abel Ferreira was emotional after the match, urging Chelsea to "take care of him, embrace him… he will make mistakes, but he can win games single-handedly."
Estevao, in turn, reflected on his time at Palmeiras with gratitude, stating, “They gave me my opportunity. I was incredibly happy here. We gave our all.”
Bright Future Amid Chelsea Rebuild
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With Chelsea undergoing yet another transitional phase, concerns were raised about whether the London club is the right fit for a young Brazilian star.
However, Estevao’s camp is confident in the move, believing it provides the most direct route to senior football and the 2026 World Cup.
Midfielder Cole Palmer shared a light-hearted moment after the game, recalling, "I told him we’re excited for him to join, but he did not understand a word I said!"
Despite the language barrier, it is clear Estevao has already made a statement in blue and it is just the beginning.
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