Ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Barcelona in the Champions League, Enzo Maresca was asked about the two young superstars — Estevao Willian and Lamine Yamal.
Barcelona’s trip to Stamford Bridge is sure to be tantalising for a number of reasons, but a first meeting between two of the sport’s brightest talents threatens to steal the show.
Yamal emerged last season as a Ballon d’Or-level performer for the Catalan outfit, and Estevao is having a similar breakout this campaign.
The two were inevitably going to be brought up in the buildup, but the question posed to Maresca wasn’t one he particularly liked.
Club Brugge KV v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4
Photo by Marcel van Dorst/EYE4images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca dismisses ‘role model’ claim about Estevao and Lamine Yamal
Estevao is about to face up against Yamal for the first time. The two 18-year-olds are wildly popular among their respective fanbases and are sure to be at the top of the sport for years to come.
Yamal is a phenomenal talent who shocked the world with his ability to not just compete, but to dominate at the senior level as a teenager.
Maresca was asked whether Estevao can look to the Barcelona star as a role model, as Football London reports.
Enzo Maresca coaching Estevao Willian for Chelsea
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
He responded: “Estevao is already playing at a high level. He is starting for Brazil.”
To refer to a fellow teenager as a role model for the Brazilian is a bit ridiculous. The two were born just three months apart. Maresca doesn’t entertain the idea, but rather speaks about the two as being of similar standing.
He continues: “He is very young and for sure he can do many things better. We are very happy with him.
“It’s nice for people who love football to watch Estevao and Lamine Yamal and Pedri. This is the beauty of football. We are happy Estevao is with us, and hopefully he is going to do well.”
There are plenty of similarities between the Chelsea star and his Barcelona counterpart, but Estevao won’t be in awe of Yamal — he will be dead-set on proving he belongs in that very conversation.
Will Chelsea beat Barcelona in the Champions League?
Yamal vs Estevao by the numbers this season
Yamal has a full season as a starter under his belt, during which he announced himself as a ‘best in the world’ contender.
Estevao couldn’t make the move from Brazil that soon, but he is making up for it with his form for club and country this season.
Estevao is matching pace with Pele for Brazil, and is already one of Chelsea’s best attackers. He has nine goals and an assist this season, compared to Yamal’s six goals and ten assists. But Yamal has played almost every minute, while Estevao has been used sparingly by Maresca.
Tuesday night’s game under the lights could be the birth of a football rivalry, and both players will have the opportunity to strike the first blow.