King ZaraEstevão Willian Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Premier League club Chelsea and the Brazil national team. The scintillating winger is popularly called “Messinho,” due to his playing style, which has drawn attention and comparisons to Lionel Messi.
Estevão is best known for his exceptional dribbling skills, agility, pace, and playmaking abilities. He began his senior career with Palmeiras before completing a high-profile transfer to Chelsea in 2025. He is widely regarded as one of the most promising young talents in world football. In this article, we will discover a lot of interesting details about Estevão Willian, including his biography, age, career, playing style, stats, and net worth.
Who is Estevão? (Quick Facts)
| Full Name | Estêvão Willian Almeida de Oliveira Gonçalves |
| Profession | Professional Footballer |
| Date of Birth | April 24, 2007 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 18 years old |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | Franca, São Paulo, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Current Club | Chelsea FC (Premier League) |
| Position | Winger (Right Wing) |
| Jersey Number | 41 |
| Nickname | Messinho |
| Net Worth (Estimated) | $2 – $4 million |
Early Life and Youth Career
Estêvão Willian was born on April 24, 2007, in Franca, São Paulo, Brazil. His football journey began at a very young age when he joined the youth academy of Cruzeiro in 2017.
His extraordinary talent was recognized early on. At just 10 years old, he made history by signing a professional sponsorship deal with Nike, becoming the youngest Brazilian athlete ever to do so, surpassing records set by Brazilian stars like Rodrygo and Neymar.
He moved to the prestigious youth academy of Palmeiras in May 2021, signing a trainee contract. There, he excelled, winning multiple youth titles in 2022, including the Campeonato Paulista Sub-17 and the Copa do Brasil Sub-17.
He found the back of the net many times, including a hat-trick in the 3-0 victory against São Paulo, helping his team win the Campeonato Paulista Sub-17 final, which was their second consecutive title in the youth competition. It was during his youth career that his dazzling dribbling skills earned him the famous nickname “Messinho” (Little Messi).
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Professional Career
Estevão Willian’s professional career began at Palmeiras, where he made his senior debut in December 2023 at the age of 16. His debut appearance for Palmeiras in the 1-1 draw against Cruzeiro, where he came off the bench in the 78th minute of the game.
He joined the Palmeiras U-20 team for the Copinha 2024 and was an important player for this team in the competition. He scored his first goal for Palmeiras in a 3–1 win over Liverpool in the 2024 Copa Libertadores group stage matches. This made him the third player under 17 to achieve this feat, following the likes of Ângelo Gabriel and Endrick.
The 2024 season was his true breakout year. He scored 13 goals and provided 9 assists in 31 league appearances, winning the Série A Best Newcomer award and helping his team secure the Campeonato Paulista title.
His performances attracted attention from several top football clubs across Europe. In June 2024, Premier League giants Chelsea announced an agreement to sign him. The transfer, reportedly worth up to €67 million, was finalized in the summer of 2025 after he turned 18.
On 4 July 2025, Estêvão Willian played his last game for Palmeiras in the quarter-finals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup against his future team, Chelsea FC. Although he scored the equaliser in the match, his then side, Palmeiras, were eventually eliminated by Club World Cup Champions, Chelsea.
He was officially unveiled as a Chelsea player on the 5th of August 2025 and made his debut in the same month. He came on as a substitute for Jamie Gittens in the 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace. He made his first start in the 5-1 win against West Ham United, where he provided an assist for Enzo Fernández.
He quickly became a regular in the starting lineup, scoring his first goal for the club in a 2-1 victory over Liverpool in October 2025. On 22 October, Estêvão scored his first UCL goal from the penalty spot in the 5-1 victory over Ajax, making him the youngest player in Chelsea’s history to score in the UEFA Champions League. He achieved this at 18 years and 181 days old.
Estêvão also found the net in Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. He is loved by millions of Chelsea fans worldwide and is seen as an asset for the future.
International Career
Estevão Willian’s talent has also been recognized on the international stage and is loved and respected in his home country. He progressed through Brazil’s youth teams, representing his country at the U17 level.
His impressive club form earned him a call-up to the senior Brazil national team in 2024. He made his debut in a World Cup qualifier against Ecuador in September 2024, becoming one of the youngest players to feature for the Seleção.
He scored his first senior international goal for Brazil in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Chile.
Estevão Willian is an attacking player primarily deployed as a right winger. He is left-footed and is renowned for his exceptional dribbling ability, close ball control, agility, and explosive acceleration.
His playing style, which involves cutting inside from the wing, has drawn frequent comparisons to Lionel Messi, hence his nickname “Messinho.” He is also praised for his vision and creativity, and is seen as a future Ballon d’Or winner.
Estevão Willian Net Worth
As of 2025, Estevão Willian has an estimated net worth between $2 million and $4 million. His net worth is expected to grow significantly as his career progresses at Chelsea.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How old is Estevão Willian?
Estevão Willian is 18 years old as of 2025. He was born on April 24, 2007.
Where was he born?
He was born in Franca, São Paulo, Brazil.
What’s his real nickname?
His well-known and authentic nickname is “Messinho.”
Why is Estevão called “Messinho”?
He earned the nickname “Messinho” (Little Messi) due to his exceptional dribbling skills, left-footed playing style, and agility, which are often compared to the Argentine legend Lionel Messi.
What is Estêvão’s height?
He stands at 1.78 meters tall (approximately 5 feet 10 inches).
What is Estevão Willian’s net worth?
His estimated net worth in 2025 is between $2 million and $4 million.
Has Chelsea signed Estevao Willian?
Chelsea officially signed Estevao Willian, and he joined the club in the summer of 2025. He plays as a winger for the club.
How much did Estevao cost Chelsea?
The transfer deal to bring him to Chelsea was reported to be worth up to €67 million (£51 million), including add-ons.
Why did Estevao choose Chelsea?
He chose Chelsea after the club presented a compelling project for his future development, despite interest from other top European clubs. He also joined the club after being encouraged by the club following advice from Brazilian legend Thiago Silva.
Which country does he represent?
He represents Brazil at the international level.
Has Estevão Willian played for the Brazilian national team?
Yes, he has. He made his senior debut for Brazil in 2024 and has since scored his first goal for the national team.
How many goals has Estêvão scored in his career?
As of late 2025, he has scored over 30 career goals for his clubs and the Brazilian national team combined.
What position does Estevão Willian play?
He primarily plays as a right winger but is also capable of playing on the left wing or as an attacking midfielder.
What trophies has Estêvão won?
His notable trophies include the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (2023) and the Campeonato Paulista (2024) with Palmeiras.
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