ESTEVAO WOWS

In this series, The Straits Times highlights the players or teams to watch in the world of sport. Today, we focus on Estevao Willian, Chelsea’s new rising star.

- Andy Ng Correspondent

In the dazzling atmosphere of Stamford Bridge on a midweek European football night, Chelsea’s 18-year-old winger Estevao Willian made sure that his name reverberated around the stadium by adoring fans following a stunning performance.

The Brazilian youngster scored a breathtaking solo goal as the Blues beat Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League on Nov 25. His moment came 10 minutes after halftime, when he received the ball and beat two defenders before lashing it into the roof of Barca’s net to make it 2-0.

It was his 10th goal of the season for club and country, just months into his first season at Chelsea.

Estevao’s effort not only sealed the points but also silenced doubters of his meteoric ascent. Yet, while the goal has gone viral, his story is far richer than a single strike.

This is the tale of a humble kid from Brazil’s interior who has captivated the English Premier League with his blend of flair, intelligence and an unyielding work ethic.

Born Estevao Willian Almeida de Oliveira Goncalves on April 24, 2007, in the city of Franca in Sao Paulo, Estevao grew up in a tight-knit family where football was both a passion and an ambition.

“Growing up in Franca, a young Estevao honed his skills with his father, who is a pastor and used to play football himself,” recalls an early profile on Chelsea’s website.

By age eight, his dribbling wizardry had attracted the attention of Cruzeiro and the family decided to relocate to Belo Horizonte. At 14, Palmeiras came calling and by 16, he was playing in their first team.

Estevao later earned the nickname “Messinho” or “little Messi” — a nod to his stylistic echoes of Lionel Messi.

Over the next 18 months following his Palmeiras senior debut, he dazzled in 83 appearances, netting 27 goals and laying on 15 assists — a haul that blended audacious solo runs with selfless playmaking.