Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has said Estevao and Lamine Yamal could possibly be the next Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Estevao edged Yamal in the first meeting between the best 18-year-olds in world football and scored a stunning goal as Chelsea beat 10-man Barcelona 3-0 and moved into the top eight of the Champions League.
Ballon d’Or runner-up Yamal endured a difficult night at Stamford Bridge as his Spanish team-mate Mark Cucurella put the game away thanks to some superb defending.
Yamal and Estevao’s team-mate, Barcelona and Brazil star Raphinha, said before the game that he expected the pair to emulate Messi and Ronaldo as they battle for the world’s best player award for years to come.
And, if you talk to me bein sports“Like Raphinha said, probably in the next 10 to 15 years Estevao and Lamine Yamal will be the next Messi and Ronaldo,” the Chelsea manager said.
“But they are both 18 years old. They need to enjoy themselves and try to improve every day. That is the most important thing for them.”
Chelsea’s Estevao celebrates scoring his team’s second goal against Barcelona.
But between that interview and the subsequent press conference, the Italian coach had a change of heart.
Asked if Estevao’s slip past Pau Cubasi as he set up for goal reminded him of a young Messi, Maresca replied: “The goal Estevao scored reminded me of the goal he scored against us in the Club World Cup – very similar, the same action.
“He needs to relax, he needs to enjoy football, he needs to play football. He and Ramin (Yamal) are young boys, 18 years old. When you start talking about Ronaldo and Messi, it’s too much pressure for young boys like them.”
“They should arrive at the training ground happy with the session, but when you start comparing them to those two it’s too much for them.”
Estevao: The most special moment in my career
Estevao’s strike gave Chelsea his third goal in as many Champions League games since his summer move.
Estevao said scoring against Barcelona was the “most special moment” of his young career.
The Brazil international put Chelsea 2-0 up by forcing Barcelona defender Pau Kubassi to the death and firing towards goal with his weak right foot.
With this goal, Estevao became the third teenage player to score in each of the first three Champions League games, following Kylian Mbappe (18 years, 113 days) and Erling Haaland (19 years, 107 days).
“There are no words to sum up how I feel right now,” Estevao said in an interview with Amazon Prime. “It was such a perfect night. I just thank God for making it all happen for me, from here on out.
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Steve Sidwell says Chelsea’s Champions League win over Barcelona at Stamford Bridge was a surprise.
“Everything (for my goal) happened very quickly. It happened before I knew it. I found space, moved my body and scored. It was a really special moment in my career and I want to score more goals.”
“Yes, it was the most special moment of my career. I hope I continue to score more goals.”
Cucurella: Estevao quickly caught up with Yamal.
Chelsea and Spain defender Mark Cucurella – a team-mate of the hugely talented player – believes Estevao is behind Yamal, but has quickly caught up with the Barcelona star.
Yamal made his Barcelona debut at the age of 15 and is already a European champion with Spain and a two-time La Liga winner with his club.
Meanwhile, Estevao did not start playing in Europe until his summer move from Palmeiras to Chelsea.
“The biggest difference is that Estevao may have arrived in Europe now, or perhaps he may have arrived in Lamine (Yamal) a few years ago, but he showed today that he has a lot of character and has good qualities.”
Asked if Estevao is catching up to Yamal quickly: “Yes, he is a special person. We have good people in the dressing room, so hopefully we can help him.”
