The football world has a new star and critics call him the next Neymar. Estêvão Willian is not just another Brazilian wonderkid. Born on 24 April 2007 in Franca, São Paulo, Estêvão is widely regarded as the most exciting talent to emerge from Brazil since Neymar. A left-footed winger known for his dribbling, creativity, finishing, and crossing, the teenager has already drawn comparisons with legends and has captured the attention of global football giants.
Now 18, Estêvão plays for Palmeiras in Brazil’s top flight and the Brazil national team. But the clock is ticking on his time in South America, he’s set to join Premier League club Chelsea in July 2025, right after Palmeiras wrap up their campaign at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Estevao Willian’s early career
Estêvão’s journey began early. In 2017, he joined the academy of Cruzeiro. Just a year later, at age 10, he made history by becoming Nike’s youngest Brazilian signee, beating the record held by Real Madrid star Rodrygo.In May 2021, he moved to Palmeiras’ youth setup, where he quickly made a name for himself. His trophy cabinet at youth level is already stacked: Campeonato Paulista Sub-15 and Sub-17 titles, Copa do Brasil Sub-17, and Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-17. He even scored a hat-trick in the 2023 Sub-17 national final to secure a second straight title for Palmeiras. Estêvão made his professional debut on 7 December 2023, at just 16 years and 8 months, becoming the fourth youngest player ever to represent Palmeiras. His breakthrough moment came in April 2024, when he scored his first senior goal in the Copa Libertadores against Liverpool, joining a shortlist of players under 17 to do so, alongside names like Endrick and Ângelo Gabriel.
Club world cup debut
He’s often dubbed ‘Messinho’, a nod to his playing style and flair that resembles the legendary Lionel Messi. That nickname will come full circle when Inter Miami and Palmeiras clash in the FIFA Club World Cup, pitting Messi against Messinho in a symbolic torch-passing moment. It will be Estevão’s last dance in Palmeiras colours before he heads to Europe, and the timing couldn’t be more dramatic. Chelsea secured Estêvão’s signature in June 2024, beating off competition from the likes of Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester City. The transfer, worth a reported €34 million upfront and up to €23 million in add-ons, could rise to a staggering £52 million, a massive investment for a teenager who hasn’t yet set foot in Europe. He will officially join Chelsea in July, after turning 18, as per FIFA regulations.
What is unique about Estevao Willian?
What sets Estêvão apart is not just raw talent. He’s already been capped by the senior Brazil national team, with head coach Carlo Ancelotti praising his character, humility, and long-term potential, “He’s got the characteristics to be very important for the future of the national team.” Abel Ferreira, Palmeiras’ highly respected coach, went even further: “This player is different from everything I’ve ever seen. A boy who defends, attacks, shows himself in the game.”
Ferreira even tried to block his transfer, hoping to keep Estêvão at the club until 2027. But it was too late .Even Palmeiras academy director Joao Paulo Sampaio couldn’t hide his admiration:
“Estêvão is the best player to have emerged from Brazilian football since Neymar. You watch him and you fall in love.”Unlike Endrick, Vinicius Jr, or Rodrygo at the time of their transfers to Europe, Estêvão arrives with even more hype, despite still developing physically. But the technical brilliance is already there, and if his trajectory continues, Chelsea fans might be watching a future Ballon d’Or contender in the making. Willian isn’t just one for the future. He’s the Brazilian footballing world’s next crown jewel, a boy with Messi’s feet, Neymar’s flair, and the hopes of a nation on his shoulders.