Despite a painful quarter-final elimination at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023™ for Brazil, attacking midfielder Estevao Willian made his mark in southeast Asia and justified all the hype surrounding his play. The enormous potential of another Brazilian jewel was clear for all to see.
The fact that, less than a year later, in a near-perfect season for Palmeiras and facing players at least a year older, he would be starring in a title-winning campaign in Brazil’s top flight is something even the most optimistic Alviverde fans could scarcely have imagined. Or indeed the powers that be at Chelsea, who in June agreed a deal in excess of EUR 60 million to bring the teenager to Stamford Bridge after the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.
Further evidence is that the 17-year-old Estevao represents for many Palmeiras fans the best hope for a comeback against Botafogo in the second leg of their Copa Libertadores round-of-16 tie in Sao Paulo on Wednesday.
In the first leg in Rio, Botafogo edged an entertaining game 2-1 but will probably feel they should have won by more. Estevao was not available to start that fixture due to an injury, but after making a quick recovery – or a miraculous one if the most passionate Palmeiras fans are to be believed – he was able to come off the bench in the 57th minute. His influence was immediately noticeable, helping the visitors restore balance to a game dominated by Botafogo in the first half.
In his post-match press conference, Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira spoke frankly about how the opposition had imposed their game on his players. In the midst of his answers, however, he also emphasised that he had been unable to play “the kid”, his best asset, from the start.
Ultra-driven and a serial winner since coming to Palmeiras in 2020 and picking up two Copa Libertadores crowns (2020 and 2021) and two Brasileirao titles (2022 and 2023) among other silverware, Ferreira was already convinced of Estevao’s enormous talent months ago and was not shy about sharing his views with the Brazilian football media.
That said, it is not as if the former Portuguese right-back has been averse to trusting young players. After all, Endrick, the outstanding figure in his side’s last Brasileirao triumph, blossomed under his stewardship. With the latter’s move to Real Madrid planned well in advance, the coach had to deal with major concern from supporters, who worried there might not be time for the striker to shine for Palmeiras before joining the Spanish giants last June.
In the end, there was time as the club’s recent history shows. It should also be said that Palmeiras’s recent continental and national honours featured other graduates of their youth teams, such as midfielder Danilo, who is now at Nottingham Forest.
The case of Estevao, however, seems to defy comparison. In previous years, most of the responsibility for the team’s success was shouldered by a core of veterans used to the rigours of international football and World Cup qualifying. Today, that hierarchy is no longer set in stone.
So much so, in fact, that Ferreira, a coach known to choose his words carefully, said of his latest teen sensation: “This kid! All I can say is, enjoy him while he’s here, because the boy works wonders.”
In another interview in May, the coach said, only half-jokingly, that he would ask club president Leila Pereira not to sell the player. “His father, his agent and he himself will be sad. Let him stay with us until 2027. I really think this player is different from anything I’ve ever seen. A kid who defends, attacks and is always available and willing to take responsibility during games.”
Unfortunately for Ferreira, his wish did not come true, with Chelsea announcing on 22 June that they had agreed terms for Estevao. Current regulations prohibit international transfers until a player is 18 years old, which Estevao will turn in April 2025. However, Palmeiras insisted on a clause that will keep the youngster in Sao Paulo until after next year’s Club World Cup – a tournament Chelsea will also be taking part in.
And while the Blues will be watching their future asset with affection until then, it is also true that Estevao’s progress will be watched carefully by Palmeiras’s biggest rivals at the summit of Brazilian football, as well as fans of the national team throughout the country.
Estevao’s recent Serie A heroics coincided with Brazil’s appearance in this year’s Copa America. After A Selecão’s quarter-final elimination at the hands of Uruguay, it was inevitable that national team coach Dorival Junior would be asked about the feasibility of a call-up for the Verdão starlet.
“Estevao gives me hope that things will change,” said former midfielder Djalminha, now an analyst with ESPN Brasil. “When I was 17, I was nowhere near his level, and the same goes for many others I saw. If he keeps progressing, he may even surpass Ronaldinho and Neymar. As well as having vision, he can dribble, pass well and score.”
And while Dorival recognizes Estevao’s precocious gifts, he also has several other emerging talents playing abroad who he can call on. Accordingly, he urges caution around the promotion of very young players, as he prepares to call up his squad for the FIFA World Cup 26™ qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay on 6 and 10 September respectively.
Still, the rapid acceleration of Estevao at Palmeiras is impossible to ignore and will be one to watch as next year’s Club World Cup comes into focus.
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کلاس یوس