Former Chelsea winger Willian Borges da Silva believes new signing Estevao is viewed in the same bracket as Lamine Yamal.
There isn’t a more exciting comparison in world football for a young player at the moment than to be likened to the young Spaniard.
Chelsea announced the signing of the 18-year-old from Palmeiras last summer for an initial fee worth €34 million ($37m) with performance-related add-ons potentially taking the figure to around €67m, as reported by British media.
Estêvão will officially join Chelsea after the Club World Cup with 13 goals and 12 assists under his belt in 43 appearances in Brazil’s Serie A, along with four senior Brazil caps.
Estevao, who was described as a “phenomenon” by his agent Andre Cury, was recently named in GOAL’s NXGN top 50 wonderkids in football in 2025 list.
He ranked second on the list, only behind Lamine Yamal, and was above the likes of Endrick, Pau Cubarsi, and Warren Zaire-Emery, among others, which suggests that the Blues have the second-best wonderkid in the world on their hands.
Speaking to ESPN Brasil recently, Willian, who played 10 times for London club Fulham in the Premier League last season but is a free agent this summer, talked up his compatriot.
“Without a doubt, he has a lot of potential, a lot of quality,” Willian said. “The player has the advantage of still being so young, but with great potential like Lamine Yamal, they have a similar style.
“I hope that he can be very successful here in England playing for Chelsea, he can win many titles, score a lot of goals with the Chelsea jersey and he will help to win titles over the years.”
Chelsea has several very talented young players on their books right now. Tyrique George looks like a future star, while Andrey Santos is a very exciting talent.
Willian is not the only person making the comparison. Speaking on The Athletic FC Podcast, Journalist Simon Johnson has been discussing how Estevao is viewed at Chelsea, and he says the Blues have incredibly high hopes for the Brazilian.
According to Johnson, Chelsea believes Willian Estevao is one of the world’s best young players.
The journalist says that the attacker is seen as the next Neymar over in Brazil, while some at Chelsea view him in the same bracket as Lamine Yamal.
“For sure, but with the caveat that he is only 18 and moving to another country for the first time, a new style of football. Of course, we know how tough the Premier League can be. But in Brazil, he’s being talked about as the next Neymar,” Johnson said.
“I think Chelsea see him in the bracket and not too much pressure here, but in that bracket of being, obviously not yet, but in that category in terms of the best young players up there with Yamal even, he’s seen in that kind of potential. He’s a young kid who’s already done wonders. Let’s see how he adapts.”
Recall, Softfootball had previously reported that Luis Suarez had warned Estevao to avoid Messi comparisons as Chelsea move nears.
Suarez has urged young Brazilian sensation Estevao to “make his own name” as he prepares to join Chelsea this summer, cautioning against ongoing comparisons to Lionel Messi.
The 18-year-old, affectionately dubbed “Messinho” in Brazil, shared the pitch with his idol during Palmeiras’ 2-2 draw with Inter Miami in the Club World Cup, a moment that will likely define his early career. While Estevao didn’t score, he managed to leave the match with Messi’s shirt and unforgettable memories.
