Estêvão Willian: Brazil’s Rising Star Set to Shine at Chelsea

Early Career and Rise at Palmeiras

Estêvão began his youth career at Cruzeiro in 2017 before moving to Palmeiras in 2021. He made his professional debut for Palmeiras on December 7, 2023, at just 16 years and 8 months old, becoming the club’s fourth-youngest player ever.

Playing Style and Comparisons

Nicknamed “Messinho” due to his playing style reminiscent of Lionel Messi, Estêvão is lauded for his maturity, game intelligence, and decision-making. His versatility allows him to operate both as a winger and a central attacking midfielder, with a preference for the number 10 role.

2024 Season Highlights

In the 2024 season, Estêvão had a breakout year with Palmeiras, recording 13 goals and 9 assists in the Brazilian Série A. His performances earned him the Best Young Player and Best Attacker awards in the league.  Notably, he surpassed Neymar’s record for the most goal contributions by a player under 18 in Brazil’s top division, achieving a combined total of 22 goals and assists.

International Career

Estêvão represented Brazil at the U17 level in 2023, scoring 3 goals in 5 appearances. He made his senior debut for the Brazil national team on September 6, 2024, in a World Cup qualifier against Ecuador, becoming one of the youngest players to do so.

Transfer to Chelsea

In June 2024, Chelsea secured Estêvão’s transfer for an initial fee of €34 million, potentially rising to €57.6 million with add-ons. He will officially join the Premier League club on July 1, 2025, after turning 18.

Estêvão’s rapid ascent in Brazilian football, marked by record-breaking performances and accolades, underscores his immense potential. As he prepares to embark on his European journey with Chelsea, fans and analysts alike eagerly anticipate the impact this young talent will have on the global stage.

Soccer Card Market

You can find his rookie cards in 2023-24 Panini Select. On April 25, 2025 a field level pink mojo PSA 10 sold for a record of $499. A previous sale of $150 had occurred on March 23, 2025 - representing a 232% increase in sales price. Wow!! Is the hype real?