Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has said that Estevao and Lamine Yamal will probably become the next Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
In the first meeting between two of the best 18-year-olds in world football, Estevao outplayed Yamal and scored a stunning goal as Chelsea thrashed 10-man Barcelona 3-0 and moved into the top eight of the Champions League.
Yamal, who finished second in the Ballon d’Or award, endured a tough night at Stamford Bridge as his Spanish teammate Marc Cucurella shut out the match with a superb defensive performance.
Yamal and Estevao’s teammate, Barcelona and Brazil star Rafinha, said before the match that he expected the duo to emulate Messi and Ronaldo in competing for the world’s best player award for years to come.
And the Chelsea manager completely agreed with BeIN Sports, saying: “Like Rafinha said, probably in the next 10, 15 years, Estevao and Lamine Yamal will probably be the next Messi and Ronaldo.”
“But they’re both only 18 years old. They need to enjoy every day and try to improve. That’s the most important thing for them.”
Chelsea’s Estevao celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal against Barcelona
However, between that interview and the subsequent press conference, the Italian coach had a change of heart.
Asked if Estevao’s slide past Pau Cubasi in the build-up to the goal reminded him of a young Messi, Maresca replied: “The goal that Estevao scored reminded me of the one he scored against us in the Club World Cup. It’s very similar, it’s the same act.”
“He needs to relax. He needs to enjoy football, he needs to play football. He and Lamine (Yamal) are 18 years old, very young boys. If you start talking about Ronaldo and Messi, it’s too much pressure for young boys like them.”
“They need to arrive at the practice range happy for training, 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 goal was his third in a Champions League match for Chelsea since his summer transfer.
Estevao says scoring against Barcelona was the “most special moment” of his young career.
The Brazilian international left Barcelona defender Pau Kvarsi for dead before firing a shot into the roof of the net with his weak right foot, giving Chelsea a 2-0 victory that night.
With this goal, Estevao became the third teenager to score in each of his first three Champions League starts, after Kylian Mbappé (18’113) and Erling Haaland (19’107).
“There are no words to describe how I feel right now,” Estevao told Amazon Prime. “It really was a perfect night and I’m just thankful to God for making everything happen for me. From here on up.
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Steve Sidwell has described Chelsea’s Champions League victory over Barcelona at Stamford Bridge as sensational.
“For me (the goal) everything happened very quickly. It happened without me even realizing it. I just found the space and nudged through and scored the goal. It was a very special moment in my career and I hope to score many more goals.”
“Yes, it was definitely the most special moment of my career. I hope to continue to score more and more points for many years to come.”
Cucurella: Estevao quickly catches up to Yamal.
Teammates of these phenomenal talents – Chelsea and Spanish defender Marc Cucurella – believe that Estevao is behind Yamal but has quickly caught up with the Barcelona star.
Yamal made his debut for Barcelona at the age of 15 and has already won European Champions with Spain and won La Liga twice with his club.
Estevao, on the other hand, did not start playing in Europe until joining Chelsea from Palmeiras in the summer.
“The main difference is that Estebao came to Europe now probably a few years ago and is back in Lamine (Yamal). But he showed today that he has a lot of character and has good qualities.”
Asked if Estevao is quickly catching up to Yamal, he said: “Yes, he is a special guy. We have good people in the dressing room so I hope we can help him.”
