The One That Got Away: Barcelona's Missed Chance
Andre Cury, the agent representing Chelsea's emerging superstar Estevao, has disclosed that Barcelona had multiple opportunities to secure the Brazilian forward's signature before his move to Stamford Bridge. In a revealing interview with Cadena SER following Chelsea's emphatic 3-0 Champions League victory over Barcelona, Cury detailed how financial constraints at the Catalan club prevented what could have been a landmark signing.
A Star is Born at Stamford Bridge
The timing of Cury's revelations couldn't be more poignant, coming just hours after the 18-year-old Brazilian delivered a breathtaking performance against the very club that once passed on him. On Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge, Estevao demonstrated exactly why he's considered among the world's most exciting young talents, scoring a spectacular solo goal that left Barcelona's defence in disarray.
Estevao's sublime 55th-minute strike not only doubled Chelsea's lead but also etched his name into Champions League history. The teenager joined an exclusive club, becoming only the third player after Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland to score in each of his first three starts in the competition.
The atmosphere at Stamford Bridge turned electric after his goal, with home fans directing chants of 'You're just a s*** Estevao!' towards Barcelona's own teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. The match ultimately finished 3-0 after Liam Delap added a third goal, completing what Estevao described as a 'perfect night' personally.
Years of Pursuit Thwarted by Financial Reality
Cury's relationship with Barcelona and interest in Estevao stretches back much further than many might realise. 'In 2018 I started doing reports on Estevao,' the agent explained. 'In 2019, I took Eric Abidal to Brazil to watch one of his matches and you could already see when he was 11 years old that he was different.'
The pursuit continued for years, with Cury maintaining regular contact with Barcelona's hierarchy. 'I spoke with Barcelona about Estevao in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024,' he revealed. 'We went to their offices to offer the player because I believed he had a great future in world football. However, Barca aren't in a good financial position and sometimes a deal can't be made. It's a shame.'
Cury confirmed having multiple meetings with Barcelona's current sporting director Deco, noting that while the technical staff always approved of Estevao's signing, the club's financial situation made any move impossible. He pointed to Barcelona's rushed signing of Vitor Roque as an example of the kind of mistake the club wanted to avoid repeating, creating an atmosphere unsuitable for pursuing another Brazilian prospect.
Despite the missed opportunity, Cury insists Estevao maintains a 'special affection' for Barcelona and believes the young Brazilian could have formed a devastating partnership with Yamal, comparing the potential duo to the legendary pairing of Neymar and Lionel Messi.
However, with five years remaining on his Chelsea contract and clearly enjoying his football in West London, any speculation about a future move to Camp Nou appears premature. As Chelsea prepare for a crucial Premier League encounter against table-toppers Arsenal this weekend, all signs indicate that Barcelona's loss has become Chelsea's tremendous gain.
