Just because he resembles Yamal, Barca rejected Estevao

Barcelona once had the chance to sign a highly rated young talent, but the club’s management chose to withdraw due to strategic considerations at that time.

Barcelona was close to signing Estevao when the young Brazilian was still playing for Palmeiras. However, according to sporting director Deco, the Camp Nou side decided to pull out. This decision was not due to doubts about his ability, but rather based on team-building strategy and specific priorities at that moment.

In an interview, Deco openly identified the key factor. Barca already had Lamine Yamal, a player in the same position with a similar playing style. Bringing in another player of the same profile was considered unnecessary, especially when the club needed reinforcements in more urgent areas.

According to Deco, if Estevao were right-footed and played on the opposite wing, the situation might have been different. But in reality, the young Brazilian often operates on the right flank, just like Yamal. This overlap forced Barca’s management to carefully evaluate the long-term effectiveness.

Blaugrana’s leadership also emphasized that this was not a comparison of quality. Both Lamine Yamal and Estevao are considered top talents of the new generation. However, under the specific circumstances, Barca could not prioritize a deal solely based on individual potential, but had to put the overall benefit first.

Besides the sporting aspect, financial difficulties remained a major obstacle for Barca. During that period, the Catalan club had to tighten spending and carefully select every signing. Even though Estevao dreamed of playing for Barca, Camp Nou remained out of reach.

In the end, Barca accepted letting Estevao take a different path, while Lamine Yamal became a core part of the long-term plan. This decision clearly reflects Barca’s philosophy: not chasing every young talent, but investing only when it fits the team structure and financial situation.