Will Chelsea wonderkid Estevao hit heights of Yamal?
- Published
Every exciting young attacker is rated on a scale from one to Lionel Messi.
The two teenagers perhaps at the upper end of the scale are Lamine Yamal - already a global superstar - and now Chelsea's Estevao Willian.
Yamal, like Argentina legend Messi, emerged from Barcelona's famed La Masia academy.
Estevao was reluctantly crowned 'Messinho' - translated as 'little Messi' - through his performances in Brazil's top flight, and has started brilliantly since joining Chelsea after the summer Club World Cup. He moved after his 18th birthday, having agreed a pre-contract in May 2024 to join from Palmeiras for £29m, rising to £51m with add-ons.
They are now considered the two most valuable teenagers in world football - according to CIES Football Observatory,, external Yamal is valued at a staggering £307.4m, with Estevao second but lagging far behind at £103.8m.
One of the few people capable of comparing the two forwards is Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella.
Cucurella said: "I think both of them are very special players. They have a lot of talent, always want the ball, and take on defenders one-on-one. They are players who can decide games."
