Estevao Willian, the prodigious forward from Palmeiras who has already agreed to join Chelsea in the summer, has reached another milestone in Brazilian football, previously set by national icon Neymar.
The 17-year-old scored twice in a 3-0 win over Sao Bernardo on Saturday, the first a staggering 25-yard thwack that clattered off the inside of the post and past the helpless Alex Alves. Estevao peppered the game with some of his trademark dazzling bursts of skill, and he scored again before halftime.
On top of his 20 career goals, the two-way forward has ten assists in 57 senior appearances, bringing his total direct goal contributions to 30. According to DataFutebol, Neymar was the last Brazilian footballer to reach that milestone before turning 18.
Chelsea, intriguingly, are also competing in this summer's newly expanded competition and could potentially face their future recruit in the quarter-finals. Estevao has already promised to celebrate against the Blues if he scores, which, given his incredible return thus far, may not be so unlikely.
Palmeiras will have at least six more fixtures before Estevao officially becomes an adult on April 26th, giving the wriggling left-footer plenty of time to surpass Neymar's prodigious statistics.
The 17-year-old scored twice in a 3-0 win over Sao Bernardo on Saturday, the first a staggering 25-yard thwack that clattered off the inside of the post and past the helpless Alex Alves. Estevao peppered the game with some of his trademark dazzling bursts of skill, and he scored again before halftime.
On top of his 20 career goals, the two-way forward has ten assists in 57 senior appearances, bringing his total direct goal contributions to 30. According to DataFutebol, Neymar was the last Brazilian footballer to reach that milestone before turning 18.
Estevao vs. Neymar before turning 18.
Estevao was officially signed by Chelsea last summer, but FIFA regulations prohibit him from completing his Premier League move until he turns 18 in April. The talented youngster is set to join the Blues in the summer, but not before one last appearance with Palmeiras in the Club World Cup.Chelsea, intriguingly, are also competing in this summer's newly expanded competition and could potentially face their future recruit in the quarter-finals. Estevao has already promised to celebrate against the Blues if he scores, which, given his incredible return thus far, may not be so unlikely.
Palmeiras will have at least six more fixtures before Estevao officially becomes an adult on April 26th, giving the wriggling left-footer plenty of time to surpass Neymar's prodigious statistics.

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