Brazil wonderkid bids emotional farewell ahead of £29m transfer to Chelsea

Daily Mirror

6 hours ago

Chelsea were on the receiving end of a wonder goal from Estevao Willian in their 2-1 win over Palmeiras at the Club World Cup - but they will now benefit from the Brazilian star's talents
Brazil wonderkid Estevao Willian said an emotional farewell after crashing out of the Club World Cup to his new club.
Estevao, 18, scored a wonder goal for Palmeiras in the Lincoln Financial Field but it was not enough to stop them losing 2-1 to Chelsea, who are now into the semi finals in New York next Tuesday.
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Palmeiras starlet Estevao has already agreed a £29m-plus deal to join Chelsea after the tournament and this was his last game for the Brazilian club.
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Estevao has already been criticised after he admitted it has been difficult to 'focus' because he is joining Chelsea and there were even doubts whether he would start. But Estevao repaid Palmeiras' faith as he was made FIFA's man of the match even though he ended up on the losing side.
Estevao, regarded as Brazil's brightest new talent, said: 'I want to open up my heart because last time you interpreted my words differently but something my father said was to give my best on the pitch and this is what I did.
'I did everything, everything. That's it - we have to move on. I am leaving Palmeiras and move on from this group but I think Palmeiras from everything they have given in my career.'
Estevao also paid tribute to Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira who he described as his 'professor.' He added: 'I wanted to say thank you professor. I want to say thank you for everything. I love this guy so much. I thank god every day for putting Abel in my life.
'He gave me everything. He taught me how to play. He trained me, I learned a lot from him, I loved having Abel and Palmeiras every day in my life. Palmeiras opened the door for me. I was deeply happy in Palmeiras and my family knows how happy I was at Palmeiras.'
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Estevao made his debut for Brazil aged just 17, has already won five senior caps and is regarded as a generational talent in his home country. They see him as a better prospect than Real Madrid starlet Endrick and possibly the best young talent since Neymar.
His dribbling and goals have drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi and Nike signed him to a ­professional contract when he was 10, making him the youngest Brazilian to sign with them.
Joao Paulo Sampaio, the head of Palmeiras' youth academy, told the BBC: '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.'
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