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In Estevao's initial start as a senior player, he made a run to the far post and scored a goal.
The opponents were a small team known as Liverpool.
Estevao has built a reputation as a humble, down-to-earth kidCredit: Alamy
At the World Cup, he could prove to be more crucial than Neymar for BrazilCredit: Getty
The depth of his talent and the strength of his character were so apparent that it seemed inevitable he would soon achieve similar feats against a larger club sharing the same name.
And indeed, that moment arrived.
The 18-year-old's first goal was a match-winning strike at the far post against Arne Slot's Reds, solidifying the affection that was already directed toward him from the stands at .
There is also a great deal of admiration from a former Chelsea coach.
, who is currently in charge of , clearly holds Estevao in high esteem.
Estevao had appeared in a few matches as a substitute, but his first start for Brazil occurred during Ancelotti's debut, which took place last June.
Goals have been plentiful with the national team—one against last month and two in Friday's impressive 5-0 victory over .
At this stage, with eight months remaining until the major kick-off, it appears that Estevao may play a more significant role than the frequently injured player in Brazil's quest for the 2026 World Cup—highlighting the rapid progress of his career.
The comparison with Neymar is intriguing.
Almost exactly two years after enduring a serious injury while on Brazil duty, Neymar's return has yet to gain momentum.
A few muscular issues were anticipated after such a lengthy recovery, but so far, with Santos, it has been a series of injuries.
When he has played, the results have been disappointing—some beautifully struck set pieces and an occasional defense-splitting pass, but little evidence of one of the most elusive dribblers of recent times.
Nevertheless, Neymar remains highly popular among other Brazilian players, many of whom idolized him while growing up.
In addition to being an inspiration, Neymar's career also serves as a cautionary tale.
The criticisms include being too temperamental, a style of play overly reliant on drawing fouls, a tendency to go down too easily, and an excessive focus on his off-field celebrity lifestyle.
Those involved in nurturing Brazil's new talents—who now come with significant support—are keen to prevent these pitfalls from being repeated by the next generation.
Estevao exemplifies this; he appears to be living up to his reputation as the most exciting talent to emerge from Brazil since Neymar.
Estevao vs Liverpool
Estevao received praise during his brief time in Brazil for remaining upright when others sought foulsCredit: Getty
Brazil officials are eager to ensure that players like Estevao do not repeat the excesses experienced by NeymarCredit: AFP
He is able to move with greater fluidity because he is not burdened by any of Neymar's issues.
During his short time in Brazil, he was frequently commended for staying on his feet when others would
