Moreno Praises Chelsea’s Estêvão After Bold Premier League Debut
Ale Moreno has expressed admiration for the impressive debut of Chelsea’s young talent Estêvão, who made his first start in the Premier League as the team secured a dominant 5-1 victory over West Ham.
Aged just 18, Estêvão has seen an immense amount of excitement surrounding his career, especially following his signing from Palmeiras in 2024 for an initial fee of €34 million ($37 million). Performance-related bonuses could raise that figure to about €67 million. However, he had to wait until turning 18 this past summer to make his move to Europe. Now, having joined the Premier League squad, he has already made a mark with one goal and one assist in nine competitions.
His former coach at Palmeiras, Abel Ferreira, described Estêvão as “unique” among players he has trained. The accolades have continued to flow, with Brazilian football great Neymar lauding him as a “genius,” while Manchester City forward Erling Haaland referred to him as a “wonderkid.”
Despite the immense pressure and comparisons to great players that might threaten to hinder his development, Estêvão seems well-equipped to handle the spotlight, much like his compatriots Neymar and Vinícius Júnior.
ESPN spoke with Rogério Ferreira, one of Estêvão’s youth coaches at Palmeiras, to understand how dedicated training and tough coaching shaped his potential before arriving in London.
‘Use Your Right Foot or You Won’t Play’
In Brazil, it is not uncommon for young talents to gain fame well before playing at the senior level. Estêvão’s journey began with a sponsorship from Nike at just 10 years old.
Ferreira reflect on Estêvão’s arrival at Palmeiras at the age of 14 after moving from Cruzeiro. “Everyone knew who he was, as videos of his performances were circulating since he was 11,” he noted.
The transition from Cruzeiro to Palmeiras was not without its challenges, as the transfer was impacted by a FIFA ban preventing the former club from signing young players. Known as “Messinho” (Little Messi) partly due to his exceptional left foot, Estêvão has expressed discomfort with the moniker. “It became a burden that I didn’t ask for,” he remarked.
His time at Palmeiras was challenging initially, as he underwent knee surgery upon his arrival, preventing him from playing for five months. Ferreira recalled, “He was tiny when he joined, and during the first training session, he didn’t want to use his head!”
After a stern conversation where Ferreira insisted Estêvão work on his right foot and use his head, the young prospect took the challenge seriously. He made his professional debut in a 1-1 draw against Cruzeiro at just 16 years and eight months, becoming one of the youngest players in Palmeiras’ history as the club celebrated consecutive Brazilian league titles.
Months later, he represented the Brazil senior team, becoming the fifth-youngest player to do so in a World Cup qualifier against Ecuador.
Estêvão’s coach reflects on these moments, particularly celebrating his first goals in significant competitions, illustrating the years of effort they shared.
‘Aware of His Weaknesses’
The structure at Palmeiras encourages academy players to learn multiple positions, fostering versatility and better game understanding. Ferreira noted how Estêvão excelled, often overcoming adversity with cleverness and skill despite being shorter than many of his peers.
In Ferreira’s view, Estêvão stands out even among other talented players he has coached, labeling him “the most gifted” he has encountered. He commended Estêvão’s eagerness to learn and his awareness of areas for improvement.
Although he has scored 27 goals and provided 15 assists in 83 matches for Palmeiras, Estêvão acknowledges the need to develop physically for life in the Premier League. He stated, “I’m aware I need to enhance my physical presence, but I have confidence in my game and my ability to influence matches.”
Soaring Expectations
With just a few games under his belt at Chelsea, Estêvão is already generating buzz. He is also making strides on the international stage, having already earned eight caps and scored three goals for Brazil, with aspirations to participate in the 2026 World Cup.
Ferriera remarked on the adjustments young players must make, emphasizing that Estêvão, along with his peers, must now adapt to a new environment filled with expectations.
As Estêvão embarks on his journey with Chelsea, he has shown glimpses of immense talent, and it will be interesting to see how manager Enzo Maresca integrates him into a more significant role. Estêvão himself expressed enthusiasm to settle in quickly, stating, “It’s a dream come true to play in these top competitions. However, proving myself at Chelsea comes first.”
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