Estevao Willian’s name has once again dominated the headlines over this international break, leading most Chelsea fans to the same conclusion.
It’s one record after another for Estevao since arriving at Stamford Bridge this summer.
The 18-year-old has taken no time at all to get familiarised with English football, and he’s only getting started. Estevao made a terrifying claim — for oppositions, that is — that he’s improving more and more.
His startling form for club and country has led many fans to question his role in the Brazil squad, and to call a compatriot into question.
Rodrygo, Estevao and Vinicius Junior playing for Brazil
Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images
Chelsea fans claim Brazil is Estevao’s team, not Vinicius Jr’s
Estevao is matching pace with Pele with how he has started his Brazil career. He’s the second-youngest to five goals in the yellow shirt, after a confidently converted penalty against Tunisia.
Brazil won another penalty in the second half, but Carlo Ancelotti passed up on Estevao, instead giving it to Lucas Paqueta to blow over the bar.
But it was another teammate, Vinicius Jr, whose name was on the tongues of many, and not for the right reasons.
Vinicius has scored just three more goals than Estevao for the national team, despite playing 34 extra games, and fans aren’t convinced by him as the leader of the side.
🚨 𝗡𝗘𝗪: Estêvão is now just 3 goals away from equalling Vinícius Jr.’s goal tally for Brazil’s national teams:
• Estêvão: 5 goals in 11 matches
• Vinicius Jr: 8 goals in 45 matches pic.twitter.com/CjDUrckaz2
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) November 19, 2025
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One fans says: “Vini took years to get going, Estevao is entering the Seleção like he owns the keys already. Madness.”
The plaudits are coming from all angles, and this fan can’t get over it: “Estevao being mentioned in the same sentence with Pele…Real Madrid must be grieving right now.”
Some weren’t sure Estevao would even contend with all the talent Brazil possess, but he’s doing more than that, as this fan remarks: “In a team that has Vinicius, Rodrygo, Cunha and Casemiro. Becoming their main spine at 18 is mind-blowing.”
This fan is quite excited, proclaiming: “THIS IS THE NEW FACE OF BRAZIL.”
But it’s not just Chelsea fans. Those in Brazil are saying the same thing: “One thing is clear. Without Neymar, Brazil is Estevao’s team. Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, all play a secondary role to him. Estevao is a level above.”
They love the Chelsea wonderkid over there, and are reminded of another teenager who took Brazil by storm: “Estevao is the heir of Neymar in Brazil, not Vinicius or Rodrygo.”
Who will have the better career at Chelsea?
Estevao is the man of the moment, but
As much as Estevao’s performances have raised legitimate questions about who is the star of Brazil’s national team, form is only part of the puzzle.
Naturally, Ancelotti will trust the experienced players that bit more. When Raphinha comes back into the side, it’s another source of competition for the teenager. And Vinicius is world-class, regardless of the comparisons being made.
Ancelotti claims Estevao guarantees Brazil’s future, but what about the immediate future? As in, the World Cup in June.
If Estevao stays on his current trajectory, he makes a good case against any of the other attacking options, but any sort off drop-off could see him fall down the pecking order for when the games matter most.
At the moment, though, the consensus is pretty clear that Estevao is Brazil’s main man.