Chelsea’s young star Estevao Willian had a night to remember — not just for his goal, but for a touching gesture from his captain.
After Chelsea’s 5–1 Champions League win over Ajax, the teenager opened up about a moment that summed up the club’s new spirit under Enzo Maresca.
The 18-year-old Brazilian made his first Champions League start and scored his debut goal in the competition.
But the story behind it made the headlines. Chelsea had already scored once from the spot through Enzo Fernández.
When a second penalty was awarded, everyone expected the Argentine to take it again. Instead, Fernández handed the ball to Estevao.
“Let me say thanks to Enzo Fernández,” Estevao told ESPN. “He’s a sensational guy, he gave me the opportunity to take the penalty. I didn’t expect that. I looked at him, he gave me the ball, I was very happy.”
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Enzo Maresca opens up on the Fernández gesture
Apparently, even Estevao couldn’t believe it. He had won the penalty himself and assumed Fernández would step up again.
“I didn’t expect (him to let me take it) because he had scored the first goal,” he explained. “But I looked at him, he gave me the ball… this really reflects our group, very united, very hard-working.”
For the fans, it was a perfect moment — a young star’s confidence boosted by a captain’s generosity. And just like that, Estevao became Chelsea’s youngest-ever goalscorer in the Champions League. Talk about passing the torch — or rather, passing the ball.
Chelsea’s head coach Enzo Maresca was all smiles too. “I feel very lucky to be his coach,” he said. “It’s exciting. Fans pay to see players like Cole Palmer and Estevao — players who make you enjoy football.”
With his skill, pace, and now a Champions League goal to his name, Estevao’s future looks as bright as the Stamford Bridge floodlights.
And if Fernández keeps dishing out such assists — both literal and emotional — Chelsea fans might start calling him the Penalty Fairy.
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