Estevao Willian has become the sixth youngest debutant in Brazil's illustrious history as Selecao overcame Ecuador in their latest World Cup qualifier.
The 17-year-old has found himself constantly in the spotlight since rumours first emerged that Chelsea were prepared to pay a huge transfer fee for his signature.
On June 22, it was formally announced that the Premier League giants had agreed to sign the teenager in a deal that could eventually reach €57m (£48.1m).
As per FIFA regulations, Estevao cannot move to Stamford Bridge until he is 18 years of age, with the transfer becoming official on July 1 in 2025.
Nevertheless, there have never been any concrete plans to ease the starlet into senior football, Palmeiras soon becoming aware that the winger had the potential to become their star man.
An incredible eight goals and seven assists have come from 21 appearances in Brazil's top flight, subsequently leading to a call-up for Friday's World Cup qualifier.
Brazil debut for 17-year-old Estevao 🌠#WeAre26 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/CK3m8dFm30
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) September 7, 2024
Second-half introduction
Estevao was named as a substitute by head coach Dorival Junior, who instead handed a debut to the more experienced Luiz Henrique of Botafogo on the right flank.
However, at a time when Brazil were ahead through Rodrygo's first-half goal, Estevao was handed his moment shortly after the hour mark to the delight of the Estadio Couto Pereira crowd.
Although he could not help Brazil add to their advantage, Estevao almost had an assist to his name when a towering header when moving in-field set Vinicius Junior on his way only for the Real Madrid star to hit the side-netting having rounded the goalkeeper.
As Dorival Junior's first change in the 62nd minute, though, it was a show of faith by his national team boss, who must now decide whether to use Estevao from the opening whistle away in Paraguay on September 10.
🇪🇨🇧🇷 Kendry Páez, Willian Estevão after the game last night. Both set to join Chelsea in summer 2025. pic.twitter.com/VyopSv1Ba6
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 7, 2024
Another reason for Chelsea fans to get excited...
Kendry Paez is another player who has already agreed to sign for Chelsea in July 2025, the fee in question being a reported £17m.
Estevao and Paez were born just 10 days apart, yet the latter's half-time introduction for Ecuador represented his 14th appearance for his country.
If anything, it was a surprise that Paez did not start. In every World Cup qualifier and Copa America fixture since his debut last year, the playmaker has accumulated at least 67 minutes in each match.
On a positive note, this was another high-profile experience for a player who has already racked up 57 games for Independiente del Valle, contributing 12 goals and six assists.
Darren Plant
Argentina
Uruguay
Ecuador
Colombia
Brazil
Paraguay
Bolivia
Venezuela
Chile
Peru
