Chelsea’s Estevao opens up about his idol Neymar, the ‘Little Messi’ nickname, and his rise to stardom in the Premier League.
Estevao, the 17-year-old Chelsea sensation, has revealed that his idol is none other than Brazilian legend Neymar. The teenager’s admiration for Neymar began when he was just a young player, and he would watch him play for Santos.
Estevao’s love for Neymar’s style of play eventually led him to become a Nike athlete, just like his idol. “He was my idol growing up, and he wore Nike boots when he played for Santos,” Estevao said.
At just eight years old, Estevao became a Nike athlete, unaware of the global brand’s magnitude. He thought he’d simply be getting free boots every month. When he found out he’d be wearing the same boots as Neymar, he was over the moon. This early exposure to the football world paved the way for Estevao’s own journey to stardom.
Estevao’s rise to fame was swift. He scored 27 goals in 83 games for Palmeiras and won several titles, including the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 2023 and Campeonato Paulista in 2024. His impressive performances earned him a move to Chelsea, where he has continued to impress.
The teenager’s performances on the pitch have drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi, earning him the nickname “Little Messi” or “Messinho” in Portuguese. However, Estevao has revealed that he’s not a fan of the nickname. “Neither I nor my family ever liked it much,” he said. “Sometimes a nickname like that becomes a burden you didn’t ask for.”
Estevao believes that the “Little Messi” nickname added pressure to his game, which he was able to shake off when he moved to Palmeiras. Now, he’s focused on playing the game he loves and proving himself as a talented player in his own right. “You just want to play football, to do what you love – but that kind of label adds a pressure that’s not yours,” he explained.
Chelsea’s New Star?
Estevao’s debut for Chelsea was nothing short of impressive as he lit up the game against Crystal Palace despite the fact that Chelsea played a 0-0 draw.
He scored his first goal for the Blues in the thrilling 2-1 win over Liverpool, sweeping home a late winner at the back post. This performance alone has put his name on the lips of many Chelsea fans, and he is billed to be one of the brightest stars among the club’s young crop of players.
