Young forward Estêvão, aged 18, was named a nominee for the 2025 Kopa Trophy, an award celebrating the best under-21 player of the 2023/24 season, as announced on Thursday, August 7, by the Ballon d’Or organization. Now playing for Chelsea after a remarkable stint at Palmeiras, the Brazilian will compete at the award ceremony set for September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The nomination underscores the meteoric rise of the player, who shone in the Club World Cup and is now making his mark in the Premier League. Alongside Estêvão, other Brazilians like Alisson, nominated for the Yashin Trophy, and Botafogo, contending for club of the year, bolster Brazil’s presence at the event. The Kopa Trophy list includes names like Lamine Yamal and João Neves, promising a fierce competition among global young talents.
Estêvão’s journey, from Palmeiras’ youth ranks to stardom in Europe, reflects his skill and potential. His nomination is a milestone for Brazilian soccer, which once again has a strong contender in the category.
- Chelsea debut: The player is already training for the 2025/26 season.
- Memorable goal: Estêvão scored against Chelsea in the Club World Cup.
- Global competition: Yamal and Neves are strong contenders for the award.
The 2025 event promises to spotlight the next generation of world soccer, with Estêvão at the forefront.
Estêvão’s rise on the global stage
At 18, Estêvão has already achieved remarkable feats. Emerging from Palmeiras’ youth academy, the forward gained attention for his speed, technique, and decisiveness. In 2024, he was pivotal in Palmeiras’ Club World Cup campaign, scoring against Chelsea in the quarterfinals despite a 2-1 loss. His transfer to Chelsea, finalized in 2024, marked the start of a new chapter. Officially presented on Tuesday, the forward is now part of the 2025/26 pre-season, just 22 days after Chelsea’s Club World Cup triumph over PSG.
The young star expressed his excitement about joining one of the world’s biggest clubs. Adapting to the Premier League’s intensity will be a critical test for his career. His Kopa Trophy nomination highlights his immediate impact in European soccer, placing him among other young stars.
- Major transfer: Chelsea invested heavily in the Brazilian talent.
- Versatility: Estêvão plays as a winger or attacking midfielder with great potential.
- Fan expectations: Chelsea supporters see him as a future star.
Estêvão’s rise reflects the strength of Brazilian youth academies, particularly Palmeiras, which continues to produce world-class talents.
Oficial! A lista dos 10 indicados ao Troféu Kopa, prêmio dado pela Bola de Ouro ao melhor jogador jovem (menos de 21 anos) da temporada.
— Planeta do Futebol 🌎 (@futebol_info) August 7, 2025
Estêvão é o único brasileiro indicado.
📸 Divulgação pic.twitter.com/76o06fwViq
Contenders for the 2025 Kopa Trophy
The 2025 Kopa Trophy nominee list features young players excelling in top leagues. Lamine Yamal, from Barcelona, is a favorite, with standout performances in La Liga and for Spain. João Neves, now at PSG, impresses with his midfield maturity. Other names, like Pau Cubarsí from Barcelona and Kenan Yildiz from Juventus, round out a competitive list of ten under-21 players who shone in the 2023/24 season.
Estêvão stands out for his game-changing ability, as shown in the Club World Cup. His skill in dribbling in tight spaces and finishing accurately makes him a strong contender, even in his first full European season.
- Lamine Yamal: Barcelona’s winger, a top candidate for the award.
- João Neves: PSG’s midfielder, known for his game vision.
- Pau Cubarsí: Young defender, already a starter at Barcelona.
- Kenan Yildiz: Juventus forward, noted for his physical explosiveness.
The variety of playing styles among the nominees makes the competition unpredictable, with Estêvão representing Brazilian flair in a European-dominated field.
The prestige of the Kopa Trophy
Established in 2018, the Kopa Trophy honors Raymond Kopa, a legendary French player, and has become a benchmark for young talent. The award recognizes under-21 players who blend technique, immediate impact, and leadership potential. Past winners, including Kylian Mbappé (2018), Pedri (2021), Jude Bellingham (2023), and Lamine Yamal (2024), highlight the award’s significance.
Estêvão is the first Brazilian nominated since Vinicius Jr., who competed in previous editions. His inclusion underscores Brazil’s tradition of developing young stars, with Palmeiras’ academy once again in the spotlight. The 2025 ceremony offers Estêvão a chance to etch his name in history.
- Mbappé (2018): First winner, already a standout at PSG.
- Pedri (2021): Shone at the Euros and with Barcelona.
- Bellingham (2023): Dominated Real Madrid’s midfield.
- Yamal (2024): Young star won the last edition.
The Kopa Trophy celebrates not just the present but also the future leaders of global soccer, with Estêvão among them.
Impact at Chelsea and in the Premier League
Estêvão’s arrival at Chelsea, the current Club World Cup champion, has sparked excitement among fans and analysts. The club, which defeated PSG 3-0 in the Club World Cup final in New Jersey, sees the Brazilian as key to refreshing its attack. The 2025/26 pre-season will be crucial for him to secure a spot in a star-studded squad. His versatility as a winger or attacking midfielder is a major asset in the highly competitive Premier League.
Chelsea views Estêvão as a long-term investment. His Kopa Trophy nomination boosts confidence in his potential, as he shows signs of adapting to European soccer. Fans, thrilled with the world title, expect him to shine on English pitches.
- Strategic investment: Chelsea paid a significant sum for the player.
- Squad competition: Estêvão vies for a spot among other young talents.
- Premier League: The league offers global visibility for the Brazilian.
The Kopa Trophy nomination positions Estêvão as a player to watch this season, with potential to impact both Chelsea and the English league.
Reaction in Brazil
Estêvão’s nomination for the Kopa Trophy has sparked pride among Brazilian fans. Palmeiras, his former club, celebrated his journey on social media, highlighting its academy’s strength. The presence of other Brazilians at the Ballon d’Or, like Alisson for the Yashin Trophy and Botafogo for club of the year, underscores the country’s strong moment in soccer.
Estêvão is part of a new generation of Brazilian players, alongside names like Endrick and Vitor Roque. His path from Palmeiras’ youth ranks to Europe inspires young athletes and showcases the power of Brazilian academies.
- Palmeiras pride: The club honored its former player’s nomination.
- New generation: Estêvão joins other rising Brazilian stars.
- Brazilian presence: Alisson and Botafogo elevate Brazil’s global status.
See the full list of nominees:
- Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona)
- Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille)
- Desiré Doué (PSG)
- Estêvão (Chelsea)
- Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid)
- Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal)
- Rodrigo Mora (Porto)
- João Neves (PSG)
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
- Kenan Yildiz (Juventus)
Estêvão’s nomination for the 2025 Kopa Trophy is a milestone for Brazilian soccer, which continues to produce talents capable of shining globally. The September 22 ceremony will be a defining moment for the young forward, who could become the first Brazilian to win the award.
