Neymar recently sent a message of congratulations to 17-year-old Brazilian wonderkid Estêvão Willian, after the Chelsea-bound star broke Neymar’s record for the most goal contributions by a player under 18 in the Brazilian Serie A.
Neymar’s record of 16 contributions, set in 2009 with Santos, was surpassed by Estêvão, who reached 18 this season. Currently playing for Palmeiras, Estêvão is set to officially join Chelsea in July 2025 after turning 18.
Neymar shared a message on social media praising the young talent, saying, “Congratulations for the broken record. May you continue to shine and enchant everyone with your soccer. Fly.”
Estêvão, whose talent has already garnered attention, is looking forward to his future at Chelsea, a club that completed a €34 million (£28.5m) deal for him in June.
There are also potential performance-based incentives that could see the fee rise by another €23 million (£19.3m). Estêvão is widely regarded as one of Brazil’s most promising footballers, having earned his first senior international caps this year.
Neymar’s words of encouragement highlight the high regard in which he is held by his countrymen, further elevating the anticipation surrounding his move to Chelsea.
After signing with Chelsea, Estêvão revealed that one of the first players to reach out was English midfielder Cole Palmer. The two connected on social media, with Palmer calling Estêvão a “star” and expressing excitement about playing together at Stamford Bridge.
Estêvão reciprocated the praise, saying that Palmer’s celebration after scoring a goal had become popular, and that he himself had celebrated in the same manner after netting one for Palmeiras.
The two exchanged friendly messages, with both confident that they will achieve great things together for Chelsea in the future.
Estêvão’s transition to European football is highly anticipated, as he has already shown remarkable consistency and flair in his performances in South America.
His 18 goal contributions this season in the Brazilian top flight have not only broken Neymar’s record but also earned him widespread recognition as a rising star on the international stage.
His ability to perform at a high level in one of the most competitive leagues in South America has raised expectations for his future impact in the Premier League.
While Neymar is no longer playing in Europe, his influence remains strong, especially with younger Brazilian players like Estêvão.
The encouragement from such a prominent figure in the sport could provide Estêvão with the confidence boost he needs as he prepares for the next stage of his career.
Chelsea fans are excited to see how Estêvão’s skills and potential will translate to the fast-paced, physically demanding style of Premier League football.
With his move to Chelsea on the horizon and the eyes of the football world upon him, Estêvão’s journey is just beginning.
He has already achieved remarkable success at a young age, and with the support of players like Neymar and Palmer, his future looks incredibly bright.