Brazil legend Gilberto Silva has backed Estevao to become one of the best players in the world after his explosive start to life with Chelsea, during an exclusive chat with GIVEMESPORT.
The 18-year-old sensation finally moved to Stamford Bridge this summer after a deal was agreed with Palmeiras a year in advance, and so far he has started the campaign well with a goal and assist in six appearances in the Premier League, including the winning goal against Liverpool before the international break.
Estevao is now on international duty with Brazil's senior team, and shone once again as he scored twice for Carlo Ancelotti's side in the 5-0 win over South Korea on Friday afternoon.
While appearing at the Portugal Football Summit in Lisbon, the World Cup-winning midfielder spoke to GIVEMESPORT correspondents Ben Jacobs and Paul Gilmour about the forward and admitted he believes he's going to be a 'top, top player'.
"I believe he's going to be a very top player. He's got the talent.
"I have known him since he was a very little kid back in Belo Horizonte, with Cruzeiro. Later on, he moved to Palmeiras and he stepped over so fast with his game, developing his skills, his strength.
"I believe now he is going to get more mature. The maturity of moving to a different country will be so important for him to change experience. A different league, experiencing a different type of competition, a high-level competition, in Europe, against the best players in the world, will be important for his maturity and improvement.
"I'm sure he's going to be a top, top player. Not only for Chelsea, but in the world."
Gilberto: Don't Compare Estevao to Messi
estevao
Estevao's electric style has drawn comparisons to some of the top players in the world, including Argentina legend Lionel Messi.
Gilberto was asked about his fellow countryman's potential and whether he could reach the level of someone like Messi in the future, but he was quick to play that down.
"It's too early to say that and put this pressure on him. I like for him to develop because he's such a nice boy, very humble. To be compared like this, I don't want to compare.
"He has the ability to become a good version of Estevao. To achieve things with Chelsea and to help them be at the top as much as he can."
During his time with Palmeiras, Estevao's reputation grew as he became one of the top young talents in the world. That saw Chelsea push to strike a deal early to bring him to Europe ahead of the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, agreeing a deal worth an initial £29m rising up to around £56m if all add-ons were met.
Gilberto revealed that he has known Estevao since he was a small child at Cruzeiro, before he moved to the Palmeiras academy, and when asked if he ever stood out as being a 'generational talent', the Arsenal legend shared a story about when he knew the youngster was destined for greatness.
"He was hired by the club and eventually, very early days, Nike made a contract with him. If some of those brands come to a player at such a young age, you know there is something special. Not only the club that have seen them, but also somebody else with a good scouting programme are doing a job as well.
"He was above everyone in Belo Horizonte. The people called him 'Messinho', which was the comparison to Messi. But I don't want to compare him. I want him to be Estevao, inspired by Messi and the bigger players, the players he looked up to, to have a great career. Because he has the potential and the ability to do that.
"Another important aspect, he's got a good family foundation which is so important for him. It will keep his mindset right and not get lost in this world that can be a trap if you sometimes forget to do what you have to."
Estevao will be hopeful of featuring once again for Brazil in their friendly against Japan on Tuesday afternoon as he looks to cement himself a place on the plane ahead of the World Cup next summer.
His attentions will then turn to Chelsea once again, and he will be hopeful of securing a starting spot for their next game against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, before a Champions League clash with Dutch giants Ajax at Stamford Bridge.