Brazilian sensation Estevao Willian has his sights firmly set on Club World Cup success with Palmeiras before completing his long-awaited move to Chelsea, who secured his signature in a €57 million ($66.7 million) deal last year.
While Chelsea have used the expanded tournament to showcase new talents such as Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, Andrey Santos, and Mamadou Sarr, Estevao, affectionately dubbed “Messinho”, remains the standout young talent on display, preparing for a last-16 showdown against fellow Brazilian side Botafogo in Philadelphia on Saturday.
“It’s very difficult. I am going to be fulfilling a dream, but for now I have to focus on the work I have to do here,” the 18-year-old winger told Brazilian media earlier this week. “The closer it gets, the more the anxiety sets in and the butterflies flutter in my stomach.”
A product of Cruzeiro’s youth academy, Estevao joined Palmeiras in 2021 and made his senior debut at just 16. His breakout 2024 season saw him finish among the top scorers in the Brazilian league and win the prestigious Golden Ball award for best player, still only 17 at the time.
Now an integral part of Palmeiras’ senior side, Estevao has started all three Club World Cup matches, helping his team top Group A after a draw with FC Porto, a win over Al Ahly, and a dramatic comeback against Inter Miami. In that match, he faced childhood idol Lionel Messi, even swapping shirts with the Argentine legend at halftime.
“Incredible, sensational,” Estevao said. “I’ve watched him play since I was little. I choose him in video games. It was such a pleasure to play against him.”
The highly rated winger, who can also operate centrally, has already broken into the Brazil senior national team, debuting in a World Cup qualifier last September and recently starting against Ecuador under new coach Carlo Ancelotti, who described him as “a special player with extraordinary talent.”
With Palmeiras just one win away from a potential quarter-final clash against Chelsea on July 4, the stage could be set for Estevao to face his future employers. The young forward has publicly praised the London club’s vision and commitment to his development.
“A lot of people are asking why we chose Chelsea,” he wrote in a Players’ Tribune article on his 18th birthday. “But they don’t know how much Chelsea believed in me. The project they showed us made all the difference.”
As he prepares to trade São Paulo for Stamford Bridge, Estevao’s farewell tour may yet end with international silverware, one final statement from a player already being tipped as Brazil’s next global superstar.
Written By Rodney Mbua
