Estevao Willian: The Brazilian prodigy determined to conquer the Premier League

Estevao is regarded as the most outstanding football talent from Brazil since Neymar. This 18-year-old player joined Chelsea this summer in a £52 million deal and is now on his journey to make his mark in the Premier League.

Born in Franca, a city more famous for basketball than football, Estevao grew up in a religious household, with his father being both a pastor and a former goalkeeper. From the age of four, he was passionate about football, frequently dribbling the ball around obstacles in the church hallway.

From the church to Stamford Bridge

Estevao began his career at Cruzeiro, the club that elevated Ronaldo "Fenômeno" to stardom. In 2018, Estevao attracted attention by signing a sponsorship deal with Nike, becoming the youngest Brazilian ever to sign with the sports giant, surpassing Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.

"At that time, I just thought I would get free shoes every month. I didn't realize how big Nike was worldwide. I only knew Nike because Neymar—my idol—wore Nike shoes when playing for Santos. When they told me I would wear the same shoes as Neymar, I was overjoyed," Estevao recalled.

His playing style, magical left foot, and wearing the number 10 jersey at Cruzeiro earned Estevao the nickname "Messinho," meaning "Little Messi." However, he dislikes this nickname. "I don’t remember who came up with it, but it spread immediately. Neither I nor my family liked it much. Sometimes a nickname like that becomes an unwanted burden. You just want to play football and do what you love, but that label adds pressure that isn’t yours. Luckily, I left it behind when I moved to Palmeiras," Estevao affirmed.

Estevao plays with fearless confidence. After losing the ball or missing a shot, he immediately tries to win it back, experiment, and take risks. "That comes from my dad," Estevao said. The 18-year-old added, "My dad always tells me, 'Never stop being yourself.' If I make a mistake during a match, I don’t have time to dwell on it. You only have a few seconds to react because the ball could be at your feet again at any moment, and you have to be ready to do something with it."

"My dad ingrained that idea in me: stay focused and trust your instincts. If there’s space to beat an opponent, I will do it. If the better choice is to pass, I will pass. I will do what I know and what I’ve been trained to do. I know my capabilities. That’s why mistakes don’t discourage me. I believe in what I trust, and I will keep trying until I succeed," Estevao emphasized.

Estevao’s father, Ivo Goncalves, introduced him to football through amateur matches. From a young age, Estevao always carried a ball with him, letting his imagination run wild on the field, even using bottles as goalposts or shooting against walls. He quickly became a standout talent, surpassing his peers and causing rival parents to complain.