When Chelsea welcome Barcelona to Stamford Bridge for their Champions League clash, all eyes will be on two teenage wingers tipped to dominate football for the next decade. While fans and pundits draw inevitable comparisons between Estêvão Willian and Lamine Yamal, the Brazilian starlet himself finds such parallels unhelpful.
The Reluctant Prodigy
Eighteen-year-old Estêvão Willian has never been comfortable with comparisons to other players. Earlier in his career, he rejected the nickname "Messiho" – Portuguese for "Little Messi" – calling such labels "disruptive" to his development. "I don't like comparisons," the Chelsea winger told ESPN Brasil last year. "For those who don't know how to deal with it, it's quite disruptive. Me being Estêvão is very good."
Chelsea certainly agree with that sentiment. The club invested £52 million to bring him from Palmeiras last summer, and his early performances suggest he's worth every penny. Despite making just seven starts across all competitions as he adapts to the Premier League's physical demands, Estêvão has already become a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge.
Parallel Paths, Different Journeys
The similarities between Estêvão and his Barcelona counterpart are striking. Both are left-footed 18-year-olds who prefer operating on the right wing, both excel at taking on defenders, and both are considered future Ballon d'Or winners. Their playing styles share remarkable similarities – each loves cutting inside to deliver dangerous crosses or shoot toward the far corner, yet both maintain enough unpredictability to keep defenders guessing.
Estêvão demonstrated his creative versatility during Chelsea's recent win against Wolves, driving down the outside before using his weaker right foot to cut back for João Pedro to score. The electrifying cameo showcased why Chelsea have fallen hard for their new Brazilian star.
The teenager announced himself to Chelsea fans in dramatic fashion last month, sliding in at the far post to score a stoppage-time winner against Liverpool for his first Premier League goal. The moment sparked wild celebrations at Stamford Bridge and confirmed his appetite for the big occasion.
Experience Gap Despite Similar Ages
Despite being three months older than Lamine Yamal, Estêvão hasn't experienced the same level of elite European competition. Chelsea showed patience in his development, agreeing the transfer with Palmeiras in May 2024 but allowing him to remain in Brazil for another year, including representing them at the Club World Cup.
Lamine Yamal, by contrast, has been competing at the highest level since breaking through. The Spaniard turned 17 just before helping Spain win Euro 2024, played a crucial role in Barcelona's La Liga triumph last season, and finished second in this year's Ballon d'Or voting behind Ousmane Dembélé.
Spanish defender Marc Cucurella, who plays with both wingers – Estêvão at Chelsea and Lamine Yamal internationally – offered his perspective: "Both of them are very special players. They always want the ball. The only difference is that Lamine has been playing in Europe for maybe two or three seasons and Estêvão arrived this season – but he's doing really well. If he continues improving he can be at Lamine's level."
Cucurella also hinted at differences in their off-pitch development, suggesting Lamine Yamal has shown signs of being "a little more distracted" recently. The Barcelona star's season has included controversy around withdrawing from the Spain squad and managing a persistent groin injury, though he returned to form with two assists in Barcelona's 4-0 win against Athletic Bilbao last weekend.
As the two prodigies prepare to face each other for the first time, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca must decide whether to start Estêvão in such a high-pressure encounter. The Brazilian certainly has the credentials – he's already a starter for Brazil, scoring twice during the recent international break, and would make his 100th club appearance if selected against Barcelona.
With Cole Palmer returning to training after a broken toe, Maresca has attacking options, but Estêvão's direct confrontation with Lamine Yamal provides a tantalising subplot to this Champions League showdown. Chelsea will back their £52 million investment to outshine his more established counterpart, trusting in the character that initially attracted them to the pastor's son from Brazil.
