Chelsea’s New Wonderkid: The Best Brazilian Since Neymar

Abel Ferreira, the coach of Palmeiras, usually reserved in his praise, couldn’t hold back his admiration for a young talent during a press conference in early May.

“This player is different from everything I’ve ever seen,” he said after a 2-1 win over Botafogo-SP in the Brazilian Cup.

The player in question, 17-year-old Estevao Willian, had just scored a stunning late winner, further cementing his reputation as a rising star.

Ferreira, a two-time Libertadores champion, is not easily impressed, especially in public. However, the young left-footed winger’s performance left him in awe.

Estevao’s impact this season has been so profound that Ferreira tried, albeit unsuccessfully, to convince the Palmeiras board not to sell him.

Chelsea Wins Race for Estevao

Chelsea have secured Estevao’s signature, beating out competition from Bayern Munich, Paris St-Germain, and Manchester City.

The deal, potentially worth £52 million, will see Estevao join Stamford Bridge after FIFA’s Club World Cup in July 2025.

Estevao is being compared to other Brazilian prodigies like Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo, who moved to Europe at similar ages and have since thrived. However, the hype surrounding Estevao surpasses even theirs.

Many in Brazil believe he could be a once-in-a-decade talent destined for greatness.

“Estevao is the best player to have emerged from Brazilian football since Neymar.

You watch him and you fall in love,” said Joao Paulo Sampaio, head of Palmeiras’ academy. “His technique is impressive, and like Neymar at this stage, he hasn’t yet matured physically. He has enormous growth potential.”

The Rise of Estevao

Estevao is part of the “geracao do bilhao,” a generation of players expected to generate significant revenue for Palmeiras, alongside talents like Endrick, who is headed to Real Madrid, and West Ham’s new starlet Luis Guilherme.

Estevao’s journey began early; he first attracted Palmeiras at age 10, but the club lost him to Cruzeiro, who offered a better deal.

He became the youngest Brazilian footballer to sign with Nike, earning the nickname ‘Messinho’ for his Messi-like dribbling and speed.

Estevao, however, prefers to distance himself from that nickname, focusing instead on his unique path.

Sampaio recalls Estevao’s resilience during the 2022 U-17 Brazilian Championship final, where he played through a broken toe.

“He told me he would go back, score a goal, and look for me in the stands to shush me. That’s his mental strength,” Sampaio said.

Future Prospects at Chelsea

Estevao, a versatile right winger who can also play as a number 10, has always been considered special.

Even before he could sign his first senior contract, Palmeiras announced they had agreed on terms with him.

Despite concerns about Chelsea’s handling of young talents, Estevao’s team is confident about the move.

They believe he will have a better chance to break into the first team at Chelsea than at other top clubs. With the 2026 World Cup in his sights, Estevao aims to make an immediate impact at Stamford Bridge.

Sampaio summed up Estevao’s potential succinctly: “With Estevao, it’s not about finding an easier place; he’s a player who just goes and gets things done. When you are as exceptional as he is, that’s how you do it.”