‘I am a child of God, a calm boy,’ he began. ‘In my free time, I love playing video games and I like to spend time with my family as well.’ 

Still in the early stages of learning English, Estevao’s response to the question, ‘Do you have a favourite word yet?’ was revealing about him as a person, but also regarding how he is feeling about his life right now. 

‘Yes. It is ‘I am happy’. I am very happy.’ 

There was an even more telling response when asked what motivated him to become a footballer. A theme that would run throughout the interview. 

‘I think my biggest motivation is to give pride to my family,’ he stated. ‘Not titles, not achievements, but for my family, because I know how much people have worked when we struggled to get where we wanted to go, where our dream was.  

‘So, it was more for them that I persevered during my childhood and I persevere to this day.’ 

That answer belies his tender age – Estevao only turned 18 just over three months ago. But this is a young man who has already made 83 appearances for Palmeiras and has five senior Brazil caps to his name. He has had to grow up quickly. 

Estevao’s talent has been clear since he was very young. Again, the importance of his family is clear. 

He said: ‘My inspiration is my father, my dad. He was always with me, and he is with me now [in England]. We always trained together and had that dream of playing, of getting into a professional team, of playing in Europe.’ 

‘I have come here to England with my family,’ he continued. ‘They are everything to me. For them to be here means everything to me.’ 

Estevao was speaking to us in his native Portuguese on his first day at Cobham. He has had English lessons back in Brazil and will continue them following his arrival in SW6. 

The 18-year-old landed in England on Saturday after a well-earned break following this summer’s Club World Cup. 
 

He had already visited London by the time he spoke to us and is enjoying his new surroundings. 

He said: ‘It is incredible, spectacular, and I think there’s a lot to visit, a lot to learn about the city, but for now I’m loving it.’ 

Spectacular is also the word he used to describe our Cobham training ground, and he ‘can’t wait’ to get his first look at our home, Stamford Bridge. 

‘It was a dream for me and my family [to play for a big European club] and I can realise it now,’ he said, excitedly. 

Unsurprisingly, Estevao was not short of potential suitors while at Palmeiras. Yet he decided Chelsea was the right club to develop and showcase his talents – and he has no doubts it was the right choice.  

He said: ‘Their plans, the structure and the club. Everything. But mainly the plans and the project the club has is what interested me and my family, and I think it was the best decision we could have made.’ 

Growing up in Franca, a young Estevao honed his skills with his father, who is a pastor and used to play football himself.  

By the age of eight, Estevao’s talent had attracted the attention of Cruzeiro and the family decided to relocate to Belo Horizonte, several hours away. At 14, Palmeiras came calling and by 16, he was playing in their first team. 

A senior Brazil debut arrived shortly after his 17th birthday, and he scored 27 goals and recorded 15 assists in his 83 appearances for Palmeiras, with one of those strikes coming against Chelsea in the Club World Cup quarter-final. 

A versatile forward, capable of playing wide or centrally, Estevao lists dribbling, passing and finishing as his strongest attributes and names Lionel Messi and fellow Brazilian Neymar as the two players who inspired him growing up. 

He would also watch the Premier League and paid particular attention to fellow countryman Willian and another Blues legend.  

‘Eden Hazard is the one that I watched the most at Chelsea. He’s ace,’ Estevao said. 

Chelsea have a proud history when it comes to Brazilian players. Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Ramires, Oscar and Willian are just some of those who have won major honours in Blue. 

‘It’s a pleasure to be here where so many Brazilians made history,’ Estevao said. ‘I hope to follow those who wrote a beautiful story here at Chelsea just like they did.’ 

Estevao didn’t know any of his new Chelsea team-mates personally before his move, but heard good things from one of those Brazilians. 

Estevao explained: ‘After I had signed for Chelsea and in the final game of 2024, I played against Thiago Silva. He came and talked to me. He said I was going to love the club, which has an incredible structure and is an incredible club. And now [I am here], I can see how amazing this club is.’ 

Estevao was speaking on his maiden trip to Cobham. It is the first time he has lived outside of Brazil and the talented forward can’t wait for the challenges that lie ahead. 

‘I am very, very excited,’ he said. ‘It is a new experience in my life, a new stage. I am looking forward to it and hope that it will go as well as possible.’ 

As if making a move to one of Europe’s biggest clubs and the reigning world champions wasn’t exciting enough for the 2025/26 season, Estevao also has the motivating prospect of a first World Cup for Brazil on the horizon. 

Before that dream can become a reality, he has another two on his mind: playing in the Premier League and hearing that famous Champions League anthem at the Bridge. 

Estevao has already won titles in Brazil. Now he has his sights on doing the same in blue. 

He said: ‘[My long-term goals at Chelsea are] I want to win all the titles possible: the Premier League and the Champions League as well. And personally, to be the best in the world and keep working hard so that these dreams come true.’ 

Chelsea fans have the chance to celebrate our hugely successful 2024/25 campaign with players from both our men's team and women's team at an exclusive event at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Get your tickets now.

Then the Blues return to match action later this week when we take on Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan in the VisitMalta Weekender at Stamford Bridge! Click here for tickets.