Estevão: The Best Brazilian Since Neymar?

Estevão bursts onto the professional football scene like a comet.

The young 17-year-old plays with a rare capacity.

Therefore, it’s worth highlighting some of his achievements and, as with any controversial subject, making comparisons with other stars from recent generations.

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Estevão Willian’s Football

Watching Estevão Willian shine in Palmeiras’ jersey at just 17, most automatically think that his entire youth development was done at the São Paulo club.

However, he had a significant stint at Cruzeiro.

Born in Franca, in the interior of São Paulo, he took his first steps at Palmeiras but transferred to Cruzeiro, where he stayed until he was 14.

From a very young age, the boy already attracted considerable attention, even giving an interview to a channel in 2018 when he had just arrived at Cabuloso.

His superiority over others was striking.

As news travels fast in the football world, Palmeiras’ youth academy soon heard about the rising star at their Minas Gerais rival.

According to media reports, the family had disagreements with Cruzeiro, leading him to return to Palmeiras.

Thus, he continued to stand out in the youth categories.

Following the example of other Palmeiras players who progressed from the youth to the professional team, his introduction was gradual, as coach Abel Ferreira prefers.

He began 2024 playing in the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Jr. Despite great performances, Palmeiras, the tournament favourite, did not go far in the competition.

Consequently, Abel Ferreira called him up to the professional squad.

The forward made his debut on 24 January 2024, coming on in the match against Inter de Limeira and playing for just six minutes.

He played around 50 minutes in total in the Paulistão, featuring in just two more games. Time enough to provide an assist.

Even though he performed well in the matches, Abel Ferreira used him in only three games, for short periods.

The fact is that, little by little, he gained his place in the team and became increasingly valued within the squad.

From the fifth round of the Brasileirão, he integrated into the system and, with great confidence in his plays, started to string together an impressive run.

Since then, he has scored five goals and provided four assists.

But not just any goals and assists. True masterpieces and assists that should count as 0.5 goals.

Joking aside, he has shown why his nickname is Messinho.

He truly assumed the role of the team’s protagonist. He was the most important player in many matches, securing victories for Palmeiras.

In the 2-0 win against Vasco, he provided both assists. When Verdão was losing 2-0 to Grêmio, he came into action and scored a brilliant goal, enabling his team to draw a match that seemed lost.

As if that weren’t enough, against Bahia, Palmeiras won another game 2-0. Estevão scored a goal and provided an assist.

Recently, Messinho suffered an ankle sprain, sidelining him for a few matches.

In three games without him, Verdão lost two and won one, highlighting his absence’s impact on the team.

Image: Divulgação/ Mineirão

How Does Estevão Play?

The boy exudes joy and confidence on the pitch.

Playing wide on the right, sometimes as a midfielder, sometimes as a winger, the number 41 is one of the most skilful players, if not the most skilful, to play on Brazilian soil since Neymar.

He excels in improvisation and dribbling that is rarely seen.

But all this with a lot of objectivity. He always seeks the goal or assist.

He becomes a lethal weapon by combining all this with a spectacular mid-range shot, making scoring wonder goals a routine in his brief career.

It’s very common for players his age to rush their decisions and make mistakes.

Estevão, on the other hand, seems very mature in his decision-making and possesses refined technique in ball fundamentals, such as passing and shooting.

Image: Cesar Greco

The Best Since Neymar?

Since Neymar’s departure from Brazil when he left Santos for Barcelona in 2013, many players have passed through the Brasileirão.

Among them, Rodrygo, Vini Jr, and Endrick himself.

The Neymar effect is indisputable. Playing at Santos for four years allowed him to reach levels that are very difficult to achieve, where he simply toyed with his opponents on the field.

Vini Jr is rightly considered the best player in the world this year. However, when he was in Brazil, he fluctuated between good and bad moments, making some poor decisions and having some difficulty finishing.

Rodrygo was another who started very early and undoubtedly had great moments at Santos.

Endrick, on Brazilian soil, played more than his now Real Madrid teammates.

He won several titles, being crucial in the run to the 2023 Brasileirão title, especially in the match against Botafogo at Engenhão.

However, what sets Estevão apart from the others is his factor of unpredictability. Even with just half a season as a professional, he can simply win matches for a very cohesive team.

Palmeiras already has a ready team, where collective play is usually the protagonist.

When this system is combined with Estevão’s quality, he can impose himself technically and contribute with goals and assists.

For these reasons, he resembles Neymar. They possess the power to leave opponents with no chance in marking, get past them, and contribute with goals.

Estevão will still have another season with Palmeiras, and his chances for growth are a reality.

Seeing all this talent made Chelsea shell out €34 million, which could become an incredible €61 million if all targets are met.

The point of contention is his future.

As stated in previous articles, Chelsea has been spending absurd amounts to sign promising players but has yet to give them opportunities in the first team.

Besides, the club is not doing very well, except for Cole Palmer, who is today one of the best in his position in the world.

In any case, given the opportunities, Estevão has every chance to showcase his skills and shine not only in the Premier League but also as one of the main players for the Brazilian national team, which desperately needs a game-changer.

Image: Fifa X

Written by Vitor F L Miller.