Estêvão shines in Chelsea debut with decisive goal against Bayer Leverkusen

Estêvão, an 18-year-old former Palmeiras player, scored his first goal for Chelsea in a friendly against Bayer Leverkusen on Friday, August 8, 2025, at 3:00 PM, at Stamford Bridge, London. The Brazilian forward capitalized on a rebound from Cole Palmer’s shot off the crossbar at the 17th minute, slotting the ball into an empty net to secure a 1-0 lead for the Blues. The debut of the player, signed for €61.5 million, reignited the historic rivalry between the clubs, who faced off in the 2011 Champions League. Under Enzo Maresca’s leadership, Chelsea aims to solidify its strength for the 2025/26 season, while Leverkusen, led by Erik ten Hag, tests new strategies. The match, broadcast by DAZN and SportyNet, drew 40,341 fans who cheered the Brazilian star’s talent.

The goal came after a classic Chelsea move, with Palmer attempting a lobbed shot that hit the crossbar. Positioned on the right wing, Estêvão finished with precision. The London crowd, filling the stadium, celebrated the moment with enthusiasm, seeing the youngster as a potential star for the Premier League.

• Chelsea’s starting lineup included Estêvão as a surprise starter.
• Bayer Leverkusen deployed a 3-4-3, focusing on quick transitions.
• The match marked the start of Chelsea’s pre-season after their Club World Cup win.
• Estêvão showed chemistry with Palmer, hinting at future partnerships.

The young player’s journey to London was marked by standout achievements. At Palmeiras, Estêvão played 83 matches, scored 27 goals, and provided 15 assists, playing a key role in the 2023 Brazilian Championship. His transfer, announced in June 2024, was the biggest sale in Brazilian football history, reaching R$358 million with bonuses. The player, who avoids the nickname “Messinho,” joined Chelsea after turning 18, bringing experience from facing the Blues in the Club World Cup, where he also made his mark.

Debut that ignites the crowd

Estêvão’s inclusion as a starter surprised many but reflected Enzo Maresca’s confidence in the Brazilian’s potential. During training at Cobham, the youngster impressed with goals and flair, building chemistry with Cole Palmer and João Pedro, another Brazilian signing. The friendly served as a showcase for Estêvão’s talent, as he displayed composure on the right wing, dribbling boldly and contributing to attacking plays. The fans, who displayed the Club World Cup and Conference League trophies in a pre-match event, saw the goal as a sign that the investment could pay off immediately.

Estêvão’s performance wasn’t limited to the goal. He attempted dribbles, created chances, and showed vision, traits that made him stand out at Palmeiras. Despite the intensity of English football, he looked comfortable, linking up with Palmer and communicating well with captain Reece James. His adaptation to England, aided by English lessons and team support, suggests he’s ready for the Premier League challenge, which kicks off on August 17 against Crystal Palace.

• Goal at 17 minutes came from a rebound after Palmer’s shot hit the crossbar.
• Estêvão played for 70 minutes, replaced by Pedro Neto.
• Fans chanted the Brazilian’s name after the goal, creating an electric atmosphere.
• Maresca praised the youngster’s tactical maturity in a post-match interview.

Historic rivalry reignited

The Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen clash brought back memories of the 2011 Champions League, when the Blues won both matches (2-0 in London and 2-1 in Germany). Despite the friendly nature, the game had tense moments, with Leverkusen seeking an equalizer through quick transitions led by Nathan Tella and Alejandro Grimaldo. The German side, under Erik ten Hag, showed a more compact style but still feels the absence of Xabi Alonso, now at Real Madrid. Chelsea used the match to test their 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing possession and high pressing.

Leverkusen, runners-up in the 2024/25 Bundesliga, fielded new signings like Jarell Quansah and Malik Tillman but struggled against Chelsea’s solid defense. The game, without VAR, flowed with minimal interruptions, and the referee prioritized continuity. Pre-match predictions favored a close scoreline, with odds of 1.85 for a Chelsea win, per Betnacional, and Estêvão’s goal boosted the confidence of the London faithful.

• Chelsea dominated possession with 58% in the first half.
• Leverkusen created three clear chances but was stopped by Sánchez.
• The match drew 40,341 fans, including 2,000 German supporters in the away section.
• Maresca tested youngsters like Gittens and Hato, reinforcing squad renewal.

Week of personal milestones

Estêvão’s debut came alongside another milestone: his nomination for the Kopa Trophy, awarded by France Football to the best under-21 player. Announced on Thursday, August 7, the nomination placed him among talents like Lamine Yamal and Kobbie Mainoo. In an interview with Jornal Nacional, he highlighted the speed of his rise: “I’ve been a pro for a year and a half, and things are happening so fast. It’s incredible.” The nomination reflects his impact at Palmeiras, where he shone in the Club World Cup, even scoring against Chelsea.

Brazilian fans, watching via DAZN and SportyNet, celebrated on social media, calling him Palmeiras’ “golden boy.” His connection with Chelsea fans also began to take shape, especially after a Wednesday event at Stamford Bridge where he interacted with supporters. His off-field dedication, including English lessons and a disciplined routine, has earned praise from the coaching staff, who see him as a model professional.

• Kopa Trophy nomination places Estêvão among the top 10 under-21 players.
• He thanked Palmeiras for his development in an interview.
• Fan interaction at the stadium sparked immediate support from Blues fans.
• Maresca highlighted the Brazilian’s discipline in training.

Season preparations

The friendly was a crucial test for Chelsea, who face Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener on August 17. Enzo Maresca used the match to assess the integration of signings like Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, and João Pedro, alongside Estêvão. Levi Colwill’s absence due to injury gave Tosin Adarabioyo a chance in defense. The Italian coach prioritized a possession-based game with quick transitions, leveraging Estêvão and Neto’s speed on the flanks. The first-half win, with the Brazilian’s goal, suggests the team is on track for the season.

Bayer Leverkusen, meanwhile, is rebuilding after losing key players like Wirtz and Frimpong. Erik ten Hag, in his fifth friendly, is implementing a more defensive style, but a 5-1 loss to Flamengo’s U-20 side in Rio exposed weaknesses. The Chelsea match offered a chance for adjustments ahead of the German Cup, starting the following week.

• Chelsea used the friendly to test youngsters and new signings.
• Leverkusen struggled with defensive cohesion.
• Maresca plans to rotate the squad in the next friendly against Milan.
• Ten Hag aims to solidify the 3-4-3 for official competitions.

Erraram com o Vinícius Júnior, estão errando com o Endrick e vão errar com o Estevão

Tem gente que não aprende nunca pic.twitter.com/VG74jbad90

— VULGÃOᶜˢᵃ 🏳️‍🌈 (@VULGAOTT) August 8, 2025

Estêvão’s immediate impact

Estêvão’s Chelsea debut was not just a personal milestone but a sign of Brazilian potential in European football. His decisive goal against Leverkusen echoes the performances of Brazilian legends at the club, like Ramires and Thiago Silva. The packed Stamford Bridge crowd created a vibrant atmosphere, chanting in support of the youngster. His link-up with Cole Palmer, evident in the goal, suggests the duo could be a key asset for Maresca. Despite the language barrier, Estêvão is integrating with teammates, exchanging messages and bonding with the squad.

The English press praised his maturity, noting that at just 18, he handled the pressure of a packed stadium and a historic rivalry. His journey, from Cruzeiro at 11 to Palmeiras, shows a player ready for bigger challenges. The focus now shifts to his official Premier League debut, where he’ll face a more intense pace and tougher opponents.

• Estêvão showed composure in high-pressure moments.
• The press compared his style to Neymar’s but with more tactical discipline.
• Fans are calling for more minutes for the Brazilian in upcoming matches.
• Adapting to English football is his next challenge.