Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira couldn’t hold back his emotions as he paid tribute to Estevao Willian following the teenager’s dazzling performance against Chelsea in the Club World Cup quarter-final.

Despite the Brazilian side falling short, Ferreira was full of admiration for the starlet who is set to join Chelsea ahead of next season.

In a touching post-match press conference, Ferreira revealed a private conversation he had with Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca before the game, offering an emotional insight into Estevao’s character and potential.

“I spoke before with Maresca and told him, ‘You bought an amazing player but more than this you bought an amazing person’,” Ferreira shared. “You need to take care of him. You need to embrace him and in the beginning for sure he will make mistakes.”

It’s a statement that not only underlines Estevao’s extraordinary talent but also serves as a warning to Chelsea – protect his development, and you could have a world-beater on your hands.

Ferreira didn’t stop there. He went on to heap praise on the young winger’s ability to decide games singlehandedly: “He is a player who can win a game alone.”

Against Chelsea, Estevao demonstrated exactly that with his fearless dribbling, close control, and bursts of creativity that kept the Blues on high alert throughout the match.
While Chelsea fans will be thrilled by the technical qualities Estevao brings, Ferreira’s words serve as a timely reminder of the human side of the game.

With so much pressure and expectation on young shoulders, it will be crucial for Maresca and the Chelsea hierarchy to nurture not just the footballer, but the individual.

Estevao himself sounded ready for the step up, paying tribute to his formative club while expressing excitement about the future.
“I’m grateful to Palmeiras for giving me the opportunity to develop my skills,” he said. “I am excited to move on to the next chapter of my career with Chelsea.”

The bond between Ferreira and Estevao was clear to see, and the emotion in the coach’s voice suggests just how highly he regards the player both on and off the pitch.

For Chelsea, the message is clear: you’re not just signing a prodigious talent – you’re inheriting a young man shaped by care, trust, and belief. If that same environment can be recreated in West London, Estevao Willian could be the next big thing to light up Stamford Bridge.