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Ronaldo is a big fan of Chelsea youngster Estevao Willian (Picture: Getty)
Brazil legend Ronaldo believes that Chelsea star Estevao Willian is ‘kind of like’ Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal.
Chelsea completed a deal for the Palmeiras teenager who is simply known as Estevao Willian – or even just Estevao – in June 2024.
Estevao will officially join Chelsea on July 1, 2025 once his 18th birthday has passed and he could be set for massive future in west London.
That’s according to iconic Brazilian hero Ronaldo, who sees similarities between Estevao and Yamal.
‘He’s a young player and very talented,’ Ronaldo told Ben Jacobs about Estevao.
‘He’s kind of like Lamine Yamal. He will soon be a very big star in football.
‘He’s very promising, and at just 17. I think he’ll play for Palmeiras at the Club World Cup then join Chelsea.’
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Estevao Willian will officially join Chelsea on July 1, 2025 (Picture: Getty)
Yamal came through Barcelona’s academy, producing 13 goals and 20 assists across 70 games for the Catalan club to date.
The 17-year-old – who is the same age as Estevao – firmly burst onto the scene at Euro 2024, being named Young Player of the Tournament, as he helped Spain clinch the trophy after they beat England in the final.
Yamal is widely regarded as one of the best young footballers on the planet and was awarded the Kopa Trophy in 2024, which is handed out annually to the world’s best U21 player.
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Lamine Yamal is one of the best young footballers on the planet (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea star Estevao, meanwhile, has played 46 senior games for Palmeiras to date, registering 15 goals and 10 assists.
Estevao earned his first few international caps this year and has played four times for Brazil so far.
Earlier this season, Estevao, who has also been compared to Lionel Messi and Neymar, revealed that Chelsea superstar Cole Palmer has already reached out to him ahead of the duo linking up at Stamford Bridge.
‘When I signed for Chelsea, the next day I scored a goal and celebrated like Palmer,’ Estevao said.
‘His celebration was trendy, very popular. We talked on social media, I tagged him on Instagram.
‘He called me a star, I said he’s a star too. He said we’re going to do a lot of great things together for Chelsea.’
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