O Renascimento do Samba

Seasons come and seasons go, but for the Brazilian football crowd, generational talents are expected to be born onto the global stage every few years. From the legends of yesteryear such as Neymar, Kaká, Ronaldinho, and R9, to those who defined the early era of football as an international commodity such as Pelé, Garrincha, and Jairzinho. The country in which Christ the Redeemer resides has truly been blessed by the footballing gods with some of the greatest talents ever to play the sport.

However, in recent times, the home of elegance and flair that has enticed football fans worldwide has struggled to produce a rightful heir to the crown of the saviour of the Seleção. Since Neymar vacated his seat on the Iron Throne, we have witnessed the emergence of Brazilian superstars such as Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha, and Rodrygo, but none have risen to the level required to be ordained as the torchbearer for Brazilian football’s newest era. Please step forward, Estêvão Willian Almeida de Oliveira Gonçalves.

Solar eclipses are a very rare phenomenon, but if you are lucky enough to ever witness such an event, put your shades on and enjoy the show. In an era where shooting stars have been prevalent in Brazilian football’s new generation, Estêvão is an asteroid and he is ready to create a big bang. Breaking onto the scene at merely sixteen years old at São Paulo giants Palmeiras, the kid nicknamed “Messinho” took the Campeonato Brasileiro by storm. The numbers speak for themselves, as he became the player with the most goals and assists before his eighteenth birthday, surpassing his idol and legend Neymar. However, to be in line for the throne, numbers mean very little. Instead, it is the feeling that a player brings, the joy to those watching, and the ability to inspire onlookers that the Seleção will return to the top of the world once more. Estêvão has certainly shown signs of restoring that feeling.

Simply a child charged with fulfilling the expectations of Palmeiras fans and coaching staff alike, this was not an ordinary sixteen-year-old talent. Estêvão had the trust of all Palmeiras’ faithful to make things happen, be a game decider, and restore the feeling. And he did just that at the age of seventeen, with a smile on his face. A different talent to that of Neymar, less flair and trickery, but with a similar silk, elegance, and intelligence. Estêvão played far beyond his years, and although not possessing the same level of arrogance in his dribble, he, in a similar vein to Neymar, was committed to making a fool of opponents.

Effective coming off both wings, but unbelievably lethal cutting onto his wand-like left foot and unleashing brilliance. With the faith of a nation and the guidance of God behind him, Estêvão is destined for greatness. A move from Palmeiras to Chelsea will allow the boy to stamp his name not only into Brazilian history but football history too. Already taking to the Premier League like a duck to water, the boy clearly has no fear, and with the talent he possesses, there is nothing to fear. Proverbs 3:5 states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and he will make your paths straight.” With a strong belief in his faith, the path to Estêvão becoming Brazil’s and Chelsea’s next king is very straight. With the correct nurturing, the generational talent will quickly turn from a cub into the leading lion of the Pride of London. The Seleção may have received their saviour, and he is here to take over.