Chelsea youngster Estêvão has spoken publicly about the injury that ended his World Cup dream, and his comments help explain why the saga around surgery, conservative treatment and recovery in Brazil became so emotionally charged.
Over recent weeks, the story has largely been toldthrough reports from Chelsea, Brazil, medical staff and journalists. Now, the 19-year-old has finally given his own account of what happened.
And it is easy to understand why the setback hit him so hard.
The phone calls that told him everything
Speaking to SportsCenter Brazil, Estêvão recalled the moment he realised the news would be worse than expected.
He explained that on the day he was due to receive the results of his scans, the club doctor called him three times while he was getting ready.
“I remember I woke up and was going to take a shower, and the doctor called me three times. I thought: ‘Hmm…'” he said.
When he eventually called back, the conversation immediately raised alarm bells.
“He said: ‘Bring your parents here because we want to speak with them as well.’ At a club like this, you know that if it was any other kind of news, they would just tell you right away. When they asked me to bring my parents, I already felt something bigger had happened.”
“I didn’t even know it existed”
For weeks there had been conflicting reports about the exact severity of the injury. Estêvão offered the clearest description yet.
“The hardest moment was when I found out the news itself, that it was grade four. I didn’t even know there was a grade four. I didn’t even know it existed. Unfortunately, it happened.”
The Chelsea player added that his focus immediately shifted towards recovery.
“But life goes on. Now it’s about recovering well and treating it properly so I can come back as quickly as possible.”
Those words help explain why both the player and his entourage remained committed to conservative treatment, even after his World Cup hopes faded and Chelsea continued to favour surgery.
Missing the World Cup hit hard
The emotional impact became even clearer when Estêvão spoke about Brazil. The winger had become one of the standout performers under Ancelotti, scoring five goals in 11 appearances.
Before the injury, he looked to have a genuine chance of playing a major role at the tournament. That is why the diagnosis landed so heavily.
When asked if he cried after hearing the news, his answer was immediate.
“A lot. A lot,” he replied. “It’s the fulfilment of a dream to play in a World Cup. Everyone waits for that. Especially me, because I had been part of the whole process.”
“It was a moment of huge sadness in my heart. I don’t think I even slept that night.”
Why Brazil became so important
His comments also shed light on another aspect of the story. Chelsea supporters have watched Estêvão repeatedly return to Brazil during his recovery, using the facilities of Palmeiras and spending extended periods close to home.
The player’s explanation makes that easier to understand.
“It was a very difficult moment. I thank my parents and my sister for being by my side. They strengthened me, kept me going, hugged me and reminded me they were there.”
“I always value having the people you love next to you because those are the moments when you need them most.”
“My parents have been with me since the beginning and they’re with me now. They never let fame or money go to my head.”
Then came perhaps the most revealing line of all.
“You need a hug. You need someone to cry with. I cried in my parents’ arms. It was no joke. I cried a lot.”
For Chelsea, the medical discussions will continue. Recovery timelines will continue to be monitored. Decisions will still need to be made.
But after weeks of hearing about scans, specialists and treatment plans, Estêvão’s comments are a reminder that behind the headlines is a teenager dealing with the first major setback of his career.