Brazil star Neymar has heaped praise on Estevao Willian after recently meeting at the Paulistão awards ceremony. Chelsea signed the 17-year-old winger from Palmeiras in the summer, agreeing an initial £29m deal, which includes performance-based add-ons.
The Blues raised eyebrows when they forked out such a hefty fee for Estevao - but now he looks to be a shrewd investment. Last season, the Brazil international featured 31 times for Palmeiras in the Brasileirão - scoring 13 goals and providing nine assists.
Despite missing a few games with an ankle injury and a hamstring strain, Estevao managed to break a 15-year record set by Neymar. In 2009, at the same age, the forward managed to notch 16 direct goal contributions for Santos in the Brazilian top flight.
After the winter break, the new Chelsea star picked up from where he left off, leading Palmeiras to the Paulista Championship final. Despite Estevao's best efforts, his side lost to Corinthians over two legs.
At the end of season awards, the teenage sensation linked up with Neymar - and the pair snapped a picture together. Estevao captioned the post: "Greatest reference in football @neymarjr [praying hands and red heart emoji]."
Neymar later uploaded a picture of the moment he met the Blues-bound youngster to his Instagram story. Paying Estevao the ultimate compliment, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain talisman wrote: "Craque [clapping hands emoji]."
In football, 'craque' is a Portuguese word that means 'star player' or 'ace'.
After months of criticism, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital can be assured that, slowly but surely, Chelsea are beginning to reap the rewards of their global recruitment strategy.
Speaking to BBC Sport in June 2024, the head of Palmeiras' Academy showered Estevao with praise. Joao Paulo Sampaio said: "Estevao is the best player to have emerged from Brazilian football since Neymar.
"You watch him and you fall in love. He already impresses with his technique but, like Neymar at this same point in his career, he has not yet matured physically and is not as strong as Endrick, so he could still develop a lot.
"That's what amazes everyone and makes them think that he will reach a much higher level."
At the awards ceremony, Neymar won the goal of the tournament for his 'olympico' - scoring directly from a corner - in a 3-0 win over Internacional de Limeira back in February. After accepting his award, the Brazil icon then thanked supporters for their votes.
On X - formerly known as Twitter - Neymar said: "Happy to participate in the Paulistão awards ceremony! Thanks to the São Paulo Federation, thanks to the public who voted for my goal and THANK YOU MY GOD for everything you do in my life."
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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