Chelsea and Brazil wonderkid Estevao Willian is the name on everyone’s lips right now.
At the age of just 18, Estevao played a huge role in Chelsea’s incredible 3-0 win against Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday.
After dribbling past Barcelona’s defence, the winger scored a terrific goal to put Enzo Maresca’s side 2-0 up on the night.
Estevao’s stunning goal against Barcelona!
He has not been there for long, but Estevao is already a success story at Stamford Bridge. And that will not surprise those at his former club Palmeiras.
Palmeiras Leila Pereira speaking
Photo by Marco Galvao/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images
Leila Pereira predicted Estevao Willian to become the best player in the world before Chelsea heroics
Estevao is still a teenager and had never played in Europe before his move to Chelsea. Nevertheless, Palmeiras president Leila Pereira always backed the Brazilian to succeed there.
In fact, Pereira thinks Estevao will one day be voted as the best player in the world.
In an interview with The Athletic earlier this year, she said: “Estevao is a spectacle of a player. Already ready for the Premier League? It’s up to Chelsea to say but, one day, he will be voted the best player in the world. He’s a spectacular kid and he’s going to shine in Europe.”
For as good as he was against Barcelona, Chelsea fans on The Chelsea Chronicle have not voted Estevao as their Player of the Match. Instead, the majority of supporters have gone with Marc Cucurella.
It was Estevao’s goal, though, that ended Barcelona’s hopes of snatching something, which always looked unlikely after their red card in the first half.
Chelsea winger Estevao Willian celebrating
Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Estevao Willian can win Ballon d’Or one day
If Pereira’s prediction seemed a bit premature at the time, it does not seem so any more. In the next five to 10 years, the Ballon d’Or really could be in sight for Estevao.
At 18, he has already downed Barcelona and Liverpool, two of the biggest clubs in the world. Estevao has also been playing for Brazil, scoring twice over the last international break.
Estevao Willian’s first ever Premier League goal
If he can inspire them to success in a big tournament and produce week in, week out for Chelsea, it is going to put him in the conversation.
Stay injury-free, keep performing and keep growing, and Chelsea could have a Ballon d’Or winner on their hands.