Neymar backs Estevao Willian to become 'genius' for Brazilian football after signing for Chelsea

Neymar has tipped Chelsea’s new signing Estevao Willian to become Brazil’s next big thing.

Brazil star Neymar has thrown his considerable backing behind Palmeiras’ teen talent Estevao, who has completed terms on a move to Chelsea in the summer of 2025.

Chelsea struck a £29.5million basic fee with Palmeiras for Estevao, already dubbed ‘Mini Messi’ for his ability on the ball.

Estevao celebrated his future Chelsea move by mimicking Cole Palmer’s cold goal celebration, after scoring in Palmeiras’ 3-1 win over Juventude on Sunday.

Chelsea’s England forward Palmer then liked Estevao’s Instagram post hailing Palmeiras’ win, as the excitement builds around the Blues’ latest youth star recruit.

And that anticipation has only ratcheted up several more notches in the wake of Neymar’s high praise for his Chelsea-bound compatriot.

Neymar, who has 128 caps for his country, did not hold back when appraising Estevao, who Chelsea consider a major coup signing.

“I think Estevao is the big talent that is coming in Brazilian football,” Neymar told Brazil Edition.

“I think he will be a genius.”

Estevao will join fellow young Brazilian talents Andrey Santos, Deivid Washington and Angelo Gabriel at Stamford Bridge, while Ecuador starlet Kendry Paez is another youthful South American talent on the west London club’s books.