With his confidence in dealing with defenders and his quick adaptation to the Premier League, it’s easy to forget about Estevao’s younger days.
That is until you hear about one of his latest challenges: passing the driving test.
To obtain his license, the 18-year-old needed the approval of one of the management’s greatest figures, Carlo Ancelotti.
“When I was in Sao Paulo with the Brazilian national team[in June]I was very busy. I only had a little time before I moved here[to England],” he told Sky Sports in an exclusive interview.
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“They gave me a certain amount of time to take the driving test, so I spoke to Ancelotti to see if he would let me go and get my license. Then Ancelotti was waiting at the door to see if I passed!”
“I said, ‘Mr. Passe, Passe! (Mr., I passed, I passed!)’ and at lunchtime he said, ‘Everyone stop, I have something to tell you: Estevao passed his driving test!’ Everyone was laughing so hard, it was so funny!”
Brazil national team manager Carlo Ancelotti jokes with Estebao during training
But Estebao is no ordinary teenager. He has proven that since arriving at Stamford Bridge.
His electric style of football quickly captivated Chelsea fans, who in Brazil were excited about the player who is considered the greatest talent since Vinicius Junior. The move to England came with the blessing of former Blue player Thiago Silva.
“We had a short conversation and he came and spoke to me and asked me if I wanted to sign with this club, this club has a great structure,” says Estevao.
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Estevao scored Chelsea’s dramatic stoppage-time winning goal in the Premier League against Liverpool, sparking wild celebrations.
“Thiago Silva is my idol at this club so I was really happy and it was a great opportunity.
“For the rest of the year, I was expecting it. I watched a lot of Chelsea games to get an idea of who I would be working with here. And thanks to God, everything is going well. I’m very happy with my life right now and it’s incredible.”
“I think it’s the confidence that the manager, the players and the coaching staff gave me. And the motivation from all of them helped me relax faster, feel more at home here, be more comfortable dribbling and play with confidence.”
“I don’t feel like I adapted 100 percent, but it was better than I expected.”
Estevao ranks 13th in Premier League minutes played by a Chelsea player this season, but shows he is an attacking threat.
His quick adjustment is also due to the attention he has received since childhood. Estevao was only 10 years old when he signed his first sponsorship deal with Nike.
He made his professional debut with Palmeiras at the age of 16 and immediately became the main character of the team, having to cope with the demands and pressure of one of the strongest teams in the Brazilian top league.
“I think it helps me grow faster. Even from a young age, I always knew how to deal with being in the spotlight, being criticized and being praised.
“That’s because of my family, who have always supported me. They know what kind of person I am and know that I have a way of dealing with things.”
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Ahead of Estevao’s arrival in the Premier League, South American football expert Tim Vickery outlined Chelsea’s “amazing talent”.
Estevao’s family faced similar challenges. When given the first chance to play in Cruzeiro’s academy, they moved from their hometown with enough money to cover the first month’s rent.
Not long ago, this young talent was playing soccer barefoot on the streets of Franca, a small city in the state of São Paulo. His father is the pastor of a church in Estevao’s hometown that also includes a social project aimed at helping 3,000 underprivileged children.
Religion is such a big part of his life that he always mentions God in interviews. His farewell party before moving to Chelsea was also held at his father’s church.
“God is everything to me, to my life and to my family,” he says.
“Right now, we’re able to help a lot of people, and I believe that’s part of God’s plan for my life as well. It’s a little difficult for my father to have a church over there in Brazil and then go back and forth here, but I believe it’s for a greater purpose.”
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Estevao’s stunning run scores Chelsea’s third goal against West Ham!
Estevao has a big smile and a shy personality. A far cry from the frenzy we sometimes see on the pitch. In the Champions League against Ajax, he risked an overhead kick after scoring a penalty, causing Chelsea fans to jump from their seats.
“Sometimes I don’t even know how I’m doing it,” he says. “I just do it naturally, like the bicycle kick in the Champions League. After I saw the ball, I couldn’t think of anything else. It’s instinctual, I don’t know how to explain it. It’s very natural for me.”
There’s instinct, talent, and dedication. Since his arrival, Estevao has worked extra work at the gym and spends most of his time at the club, where he also takes English lessons.
He quickly integrated into the team and developed under Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca and Brazil manager Ancelotti.
“They’re great people and great coaches,” Estevao said. “Ancelotti said he also coached Maresca[at Juventus]so that’s amazing. They’re both Italian!”
“As for Maresca, he is an incredible human being and he strives to bring out the best in me.”
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Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca believes Cole Palmer could be the perfect role model for Brazilian prodigy Estevao.
Between the goal against Liverpool and the Champions League game, Estevao is still getting the hang of driving in England and getting used to the colder weather.
So much has happened in recent months that it’s easy for even him to forget about his age.
“Sometimes even the men here say, ‘There’s no way I’m 18!'” And when I’m in my room playing video games, I think to myself, “I’m still 18.” I don’t even know how to explain it.
“When we’re kids, sometimes we give up a lot. When we were kids, we had to give up other things to chase our dreams. And of course, now it’s worth it.”
