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Tom OlverPublished Jun 24, 2024, 10:21am|Updated Jun 24, 2024, 10:25am
Neymar has waxed lyrical about the huge potential of Chelsea signing Estevao Willian, predicting the youngster will go on to prove himself as a ‘genius’ in the game.
Estevao has long been tipped for future stardom and became Palmeiras’ fourth youngest player ever when he made his first-team debut at the age of just 16 against Cruzeiro back in December.
Before long, Estevao’s performances caught the attention of Europe’s elite clubs and Chelsea last week announced that they had agreed a deal for the winger, now aged 17, to join them in the summer of 2025.
Estevao described the move as a ‘dream come true’ and the attacker capped off a whirlwind few days by finding the net in Palmeiras’ 3-1 win over Juventude at the weekend.
The highly rated teenager has already been likened to some of the great Brazilian players of years gone by, including Neymar, the nation’s all-time top goalscorer with 79 goals.
Speaking to ESPN at an event held at the Hollywood Paladium, Neymar himself was asked about Estevao and it’s clear the Al Hilal forward has high hopes for his fellow countryman.
‘He is a great talent that is emerging today in Brazilian football,’ the iconic Brazil star said.
‘I think he’s going to be a genius.’
While Neymar will play no part in Brazil’s Copa America campaign after suffering a serious knee injury in December, the ex-Barcelona and PSG star believes Rodrygo can step up to the plate in his absence.
‘Brazil’s key player? For me I think it’s Rodrygo, because Vini will play with all his ability, but Rodrygo I think is very different,’ he added.
‘He’s a star and the No.10 shirt will definitely bring him a lot of luck.’
Earlier this month, Brazilian World Cup winner Branco suggested Estevao was the country’s biggest talent since Neymar.
‘It’s been a long time since we’ve had these kids there and Brazil has a spectacular generation,’ Branco told Canal WAMO.
‘Brazil for 2026 will arrive very strong, they’ll arrive with strength, speed and quality.
‘Estevao, for me, with all due respect to the others, this is something serious, something that I’ve never said and I’m going to say – since Neymar, he is the greatest player I’ve seen born in Brazil.
‘This is my opinion, you’ve seen him close, you know. This is Brazil, they’re all spectacular but this boy, his ceiling is a bit higher.’
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