Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca says Estevao and Lamine Yamal are in all probability going to be the subsequent Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Estevao outshone Yamal within the first assembly between the 2 finest 18-year-olds in world soccer, scoring a surprising purpose as Chelsea dominated 10-man Barcelona in a 3-0 win to maneuver into the Champions League prime eight.
Yamal, who got here second on the Ballon d’Or awards, endured a tough evening at Stamford Bridge as his Spain team-mate, Marc Cucurella, shut him out the sport with an enormous defensive efficiency.
Barcelona and Brazil star Raphinha, team-mate to each Yamal and Estevao, stated earlier than the sport that he expects the duo to copy Messi and Ronaldo by combating for the prize of finest participant on the earth for years to return.
And, chatting with BeIN Sports activities, the Chelsea boss was in full settlement: “As Raphinha stated, in all probability within the subsequent 10, 15 years, Estevao and Lamine Yamal are in all probability going to be the subsequent Messi and Ronaldo.
“But for both, they are 18. They need to enjoy, try to improve every day. This the most important thing for them.”
Nonetheless, in between that interview and his subsequent press convention the Italian boss had a change of coronary heart.
When prompted whether or not Estevao’s glide previous Pau Cubasi within the build-up to his purpose had reminded him of a younger Messi, Maresca replied: “The goal Estevao scored reminded me of the one he scored against us in the Club World Cup. It’s very similar, the same action.
“He must loosen up. He must take pleasure in his soccer, he must play soccer. Him and Lamine [Yamal] are such younger boys at 18, if you happen to begin to discuss Ronaldo and Messi, that is an excessive amount of strain for younger boys like them.
“They need to arrive at the training ground happy for sessions, but when you start to compare them with those two, it’s too much for them.”
Estevao: Most particular second in my profession
Estevao’s strike earned him a 3rd purpose in as many Champions League video games for Chelsea since his summer season transfer
Estevao says scoring in opposition to Barcelona was the “most special moment” in his younger profession.
The Brazil worldwide left Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi for lifeless earlier than firing into the roof of the web along with his weaker proper foot to place Chelsea 2-0 up on the evening.
With that purpose, Estevao turned the third teenager to attain in every of his first three Champions League begins after Kylian Mbappe (18y 113d) and Erling Haaland (19y 107d).
“I don’t really have any words to sum up how I am feeling right now,” Estevao instructed Amazon Prime. “It actually was the right evening. I’m simply grateful to God for making all the things occur for me. Onwards and upwards from right here.
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Steve Sidwell calls Chelsea’s Champions League win over Barcelona at Stamford Bridge sensational.
“It was all very quick for me [for my goal]. It happened before I knew it. I just found some space and wiggled my way through and scored the goal. It was such a special moment for me in my career and I hope to score many more.
“Sure, it was undoubtedly probably the most particular second in my profession. I hope I preserve scoring increasingly for a few years.”
Cucurella: Estevao catching up with Yamal quickly
Chelsea and Spain defender Marc Cucurella – a team-mate to each of these prodigious talents – believes Estevao is behind Yamal, but catching up quickly to the Barcelona star.
Yamal made his Barcelona debut aged 15 and is already a European champion with Spain and a two-time LaLiga winner with his club.
Meanwhile, Estevao had not started playing in Europe until he moved to Chelsea in the summer from Palmeiras.
“The principle distinction is that Estevao perhaps arrived now to Europe and [he is] perhaps a number of years again to Lamine [Yamal]. However he confirmed in the present day that he has numerous persona and he has good high quality.”
Asked if Estevao is catching up quickly to Yamal: “Yeah. He is a particular man. We’ve got good individuals within the dressing room, so hopefully we might help him.”
