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Full Name: Estevão Willian Almeida de Oliveira Gonçalves
Date of Birth: April 24, 2007 (Age 17)
Place of Birth: Franca, Brazil
Height: 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position: Right-Winger
Current Team: S.E Palmeiras

Career Overview

An emerging Winger

    Estevão Willian is a promising Brazilian winger who currently plays for Palmeiras in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. He was born in Franca, Brazil and his football journey began at a young age with the youth academy of Cruzeiro in 2017. His exceptional talent was quickly recognized at Cruzeiro and by the age of 10, he became the youngest Brazilian player to sign a professional contract with Nike.

    In May 2021, Estevão moved to Palmeiras’ youth academy, where he continued to develop his skills and build his reputation as one of Brazil’s most exciting young talents along side his teammate Endrick. In the following season, he played a pivotal role in leading Palmeiras’ youth teams to multiple championships, including the Campeonato Paulista Sub-17 and the Copa do Brasil Sub-17. He scored a hat-trick in a standout performance at the Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-17 final, and his goals secured a 3-0 victory against São Paulo which helped his team clinch their second consecutive title.

    Estevão made his senior debut for Palmeiras on December 7, 2023 in a 1-1 win draw against Cruzeiro at just 16 years and 8 months old, which made him one of the youngest players to debut for the club. In April 2024, he scored his first senior goal for Palmeiras in a Copa Libertadores match, becoming the third player under 17 to achieve this milestone. He is set to join Chelsea in the Premier League in July 2025.

Player Serie A - Palmeiras 2024

Matches Played

20

Assists

7

Goals

7

Strength

Sidestep attackers

Estevão Willian has incredible agility, pace,  technical skills and a remarkable understanding of the game despite his young age. His ability to dribble past defenders with ease and his sharp decision-making in tensed situations earned him the nickname “Messinho”. He often finds space to create goal scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. His quick acceleration and change of direction make him difficult to defend against, his ability to shoot with both feet also adds an element of unpredictability to his game.

Estevão’s flair, vision and passing accuracy, allows him to play a versatile role in the attack. Whether operating on the right wing or operating centrally. His adaptability and intelligence on the field make him a valuable asset to any team.
Notable Attributes

Overlapping runs

Estevão’s nickname “Messinho,” reflects his similarities to Lionel Messi, particularly his low center of gravity and his close control of the ball. His ability to execute complex moves in tight spaces is also similar to the Argentine star, making him one of the most exciting prospects in Brazilian football.

Additionally, Estevão is known for his work ethic and determination on the pitch. He also contributes defensively when needed, showing a sign of maturity to his game.

Professional Journey

started at Cruzeiro

Estevão Willian’s professional journey began at Cruzeiro, where he spent four formative years. In 2021, he moved Palmeiras and this marked a significant step in his development and he quickly became a standout player in the club’s youth ranks. He quickly got promoted to the senior team and he made an immediate impact upon his debut. His debut season with Palmeiras saw him score 7 goals in 26 appearances. 
 
In June 2024, it was announced that Estevão would be transferring to Chelsea in the summer of 2025, in a deal reportedly worth up to €57 million, including add-ons.  
 
On the international stage, Estevão has represented Brazil at the U-17 level, scoring three goals in five appearances. He was called up to the senior Brazil national team for the first time in August 2024.
Conclusion

excellent reader of the game

    Estevão Willian is a young talent with immense potential, drawing comparisons to some of the greatest players in the game, such as Messi and Neymar. Unlike many players who have been compared to Messi but failed to meet expectations, Estevão appears poised to break this trend and truly make a name for himself. His electrifying performances create a sense of anticipation and excitement among football fans. I’m particularly eager to see what the future holds for Estevão as he prepares to make his mark in European football. If he continues on this path, we may be looking at one of the very best footballers of his generation. Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Estevão is a player to watch.

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