Chelsea's latest signing Estevao 'Messinho' Willian netted a wondergoal for Palmeiras in their Brazilian Serie A clash against Gremio – and fans are seriously impressed.
The 17-year-old forward, who has earned a reputation in South America for being one of their most exciting talents in years, will join the Blues when he turns 18 next summer.
He joins fellow Brazilians Andrey Santos, Deivid Washington and Angelo Gabriel at Stamford Bridge, while the highly-rated Kendry Paez will also join the ranks at Chelsea in 2025.
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Willian has impressed in both the Copa Libertadores and Copa do Brasil in recent months.
And on Thursday night, the teenager enhanced his reputation further when he netted a spectacular equaliser from range as Palmeiras earned a point against Gremio in Porto Alegre.
As you imagine, Chelsea fans reacted to Willian's goal accordingly on social media.
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One said: "Estevao Willian is the future of football. What a Golazo from him," while another commented: "Estevao Willian is truly generational. Chelsea hit jackpot with this one."
A third wrote: "I really don't want to sound bias but he moves like a young Messi."
A fourth said: "This boy is already worth twice his transfer fee before even kicking a ball for Chelsea. What a buy," while a fifth added: "Neymar wasn't kidding... we've got the next big thing."
As mentioned above, Neymar is a huge fan of the 17-year-old forward. ''He is a great talent that is emerging in Brazilian football today," he said of Willian. "I think he's going to be a genius."
Neymar isn't the only one. World Cup winner Branco believes Estevao is the greatest player he’s seen born in Brazil since Neymar.
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“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.”
Topics: Chelsea, Premier League, Brazil
Jack Kenmare