Every emerging attacker is often judged on a scale that ends with Lionel Messi at the very top.
Among the brightest modern teenagers, Lamine Yamal has already stepped into global recognition, while Chelsea’s Estevao Willian is quickly gaining similar attention. Yamal progressed through Barcelona’s celebrated La Masia academy, just as Messi once did.
Estevao earned the nickname “Messinho” in Brazil because of his impressive displays in the country’s top division, and he has started strongly since his arrival in London following the summer Club World Cup.
The Champions League meeting between Chelsea and Barcelona brings further intrigue, as it will reportedly be the first official match in which the two face each other. Born three months apart in 2007, they are currently viewed as the most valuable teenagers in the sport.
CIES Football Observatory lists Yamal at an extraordinary £307.4m, while Estevao is placed second at £103.8m.
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella, who has trained with both and faced Estevao during the Club World Cup, believes that the pair share exceptional qualities.
Cucurella describes them as players who constantly demand the ball, relish taking on opponents, and possess the ability to decide matches. He notes that Yamal is more accustomed to European football due to his longer spell at Barcelona.
However, he also feels that Estevao can eventually reach the same level if he continues to progress. In his view, both enjoy expressing themselves on the pitch and are happiest with the ball at their feet.
Statistical and stylistic contrasts between Estevao and Yamal
Despite their similarities, the two forwards differ in experience and output. Yamal has already finished second in the Ballon d’Or voting behind Ousmane Dembele, helped Spain win Euro 2024 at age 17, and twice collected the Kopa Trophy.
Having broken into Barcelona’s senior team at 16, he has accumulated far more high-level minutes. His record stands at 31 goals and 42 assists in 118 club matches, with an additional six goals in 23 internationals.
Estevao’s numbers are understandably more modest given his shorter time in Europe. He has produced four goals and one assist in 10 Chelsea appearances.
Before moving to England, he recorded 27 goals and 15 assists in 83 Palmeiras games, along with five goals in 11 Brazil outings. Interestingly, his overall scoring ratio across all matches slightly exceeds Yamal’s.
Looking solely at the current campaign, Estevao has been featured more often, yet Yamal has spent more time on the pitch. On a per-90-minutes basis, Yamal matches Estevao in goals while surpassing him in assists, shots, dribbles, entries into the box, and chances created.
Estevao, though, finishes chances at a higher percentage and carries a stronger expected-goals metric while matching Yamal’s expected-assists figure.
Both attackers are left-footed and operate as inverted wingers on the right. Estevao may eventually transition into a central creator role, similar to Cole Palmer, whereas Yamal is expected to remain predominantly wide.
The Brazilian has also drawn comparisons with Neymar, having broken one of the former Santos star’s age-related marks by hitting a combined 20 goal contributions in the Brazilian league before turning 18.
Why Chelsea invested heavily in Estevao
Chelsea secured a deal for Estevao in May 2024, presenting him as their next major youthful acquisition. The agreed £29m fee, potentially rising to £51m with add-ons, prompted hesitation from several major clubs due to the long wait before he could officially join.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich did not enter formal discussions, leaving Paris St-Germain as the only serious rival bidder.
The winger chose London because he was assured of considerable first-team involvement during his debut season — a key factor given the upcoming World Cup.
This move reflects Chelsea’s long-term squad-building strategy, centered on young talent on extended contracts. With Stamford Bridge holding only 40,000 spectators and falling behind modern stadium standards, the club relies heavily on this model for future sustainability.
The approach has already delivered results with the signing of Cole Palmer and the arrivals of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez for significant fees. Estevao is therefore seen as one of the club’s most ambitious additions in the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital era.
In terms of settling in, Estevao has made early progress off the field as well. He has begun learning English, lives with his family in London, and has recently started driving to training sessions.
Manager Enzo Maresca insists that the young forward should focus on enjoying the sport rather than comparing himself to others. He believes Estevao’s enthusiasm and work ethic will enable him to continue improving.
