Football Dec 07, 2025

Estevao: Chelsea's teenage sensation on passing his driving test, Thiago Silva's influence and why there is even more to come

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Estevao: Chelsea's teenage sensation on passing his driving test, Thiago Silva's influence and why there is even more to come

The confidence to take on defenders and the quick adaptation to the Premier League makes it easy to forget about Estevao's young age.

Until you hear about one of his latest challenges - passing his driving test.

To get his licence, the 18-year-old needed the approval of one of the biggest names in management - Carlo Ancelotti.

"When we were in Sao Paulo with Brazil's national team (in June), things were very hectic, I only had a little time there before moving here (to England)," he tells SportNews during an exclusive interview.

"They gave me a certain time to go for the driving test and that's when we spoke with Ancelotti to see if he would let me go to get my licence. After that, Ancelotti was waiting at the door for me to see if I passed or not!

"I was like: 'Mister, passei, passei! (Sir, I passed, I passed!) Then, at lunchtime, he said: 'Stop everyone, I have some news to tell you - Estevao passed his driving test!' Everyone was laughing so much, it was so funny!"

But Estevao is not your regular teenager - and he's been proving that since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

His electric football quickly won over Chelsea fans, who were excited by the player who is seen in Brazil as the biggest talent to emerge since Vinicius Junior. The move to England came with the blessing of former Blue Thiago Silva.

"We had a brief conversation, he came and spoke to me and asked if I would like to sign for the club, that the club had an incredible structure," Estevao says.

"I was really happy because Thiago Silva is an idol of this club, it was an incredible opportunity.

"For the rest of that year, I was anticipating it. I watched a lot of Chelsea games so I could see who I would be working with here, and thanks to God it's all going well. I'm very happy with life right now and it's been incredible.

"I think it's the confidence that the manager, the players and the coaching staff give me. And the motivation from all of them helped me to loosen up faster, made me feel at home here and more comfortable to be able to do my dribbles, to have confidence to make the plays.

"I don't feel like I've adapted 100 per cent but it's been better than I thought."

His quick adaptation is also down to the attention he's had to deal with since he was a kid. Estevao was only 10 when he signed his first sponsorship contract with Nike.

His debut as a professional came at the age of 16 for Palmeiras and he quickly became a protagonist for the team, having to deal with the demands and the pressure of one of the strongest sides in the Brazilian top flight.

"I think it helps you mature more quickly. Since I was little, I always knew how to deal with those things well, with the spotlight, with the criticism and the praise.

"It's thanks to my family, who have always helped me. They've always been there for me, they know what I am like, they know I have my ways of dealing with things."

Estevao's family faced their share of struggles. When he was offered his first chance to play for Cruzeiro's academy, they moved from their hometown with just enough money to cover the first month of rent.

Not so long ago, the young talent was playing football barefoot in the streets of Franca, a smaller city in the state of Sao Paulo. His dad is a pastor in the church he opened in Estevao's hometown, which also includes a social project that aims to help 3,000 children in need.

In his interviews he always mentions God as religion is a big part of his life. Even his farewell party before moving to Chelsea was hosted at his father's church.

"God is everything to me. For my life, for my family," he says.

"Now we can help many people, which I believe is also part of God's plan for my life. It's a bit difficult for my father to have a church over there in Brazil, while here, he goes back and forth. But I believe it's for a greater purpose."

Estevao has a broad smile and a shy personality. It's very different from the exuberance we see on the pitch from time to time. In a Champions League match against Ajax, after scoring a penalty, he risked an overhead kick that got Chelsea fans off their seats.

"Sometimes I don't even know how I do it," he says. "I just do it naturally, like the bicycle kick in the Champions League - I saw the ball and I couldn't think about anything else. It's instinctive, I don't know how to explain it. It's so natural for me."

There is instinct, talent and there is also dedication. Since his arrival, Estevao has been doing extra work at the gym and spends most of his time at the club, where he also takes English lessons.

He has fit into the squad quickly and has been flourishing under his managers - Enzo Maresca at Chelsea and Ancelotti with Brazil.

"They are incredible people and incredible coaches," says Estevao. "Ancelotti told me that he trained Maresca (at Juventus) as well, so that's amazing. They're both Italian as well!

"As for Maresca, he's an incredible person, an amazing human being that tries to bring out the best in me."

Between scoring against Liverpool and playing Champions League football, Estevao is also still getting the hang of driving in the UK - and trying to get used to the cold weather.

With so much happening in the past few months, it is easy - even for him - to forget about his own age.

"Sometimes even the guys here say, 'There's no way you're 18?!' And even myself when I'm in my room playing video games, I'm like, 'I'm only 18'. I don't even know how to explain it.

"Sometimes we give up a lot of things in our childhood. As kids we had to give other things up, to pursue our dreams. And, of course, now it's been worth it."

Tags:

football news id:13469270

Share this article

Related Posts

Chelsea 0-1 Manchester United: Matheus Cunha's goal on stroke of half-time delivers hammer blow to Blues' Champions League hopes

Chelsea 0-1 Manchester United: Matheus Cunha's goal on stroke of half-time delivers hammer blow to Blues' Champions League hopes

Chelsea's hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League took another huge blow as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester United.Mat...

Ipswich 2-2 Middlesbrough: Contoversial late penalty from Jack Clarke rescues draw to move Kieran McKenna's side into top two

Ipswich 2-2 Middlesbrough: Contoversial late penalty from Jack Clarke rescues draw to move Kieran McKenna's side into top two

A controversial late penalty rescued a 2-2 draw for Ipswich against promotion rivals Middlesbrough to move Kieran McKenna's side back into the top two...

Premier League title-race verdict: Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, players and Sky Sports pundits have their say after Man City beat Arsenal

Premier League title-race verdict: Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, players and Sky Sports pundits have their say after Man City beat Arsenal

Arsenal are still top of the Premier League - but Manchester City landed a big blow in the title race by winning the top-two showdown at the Etihad on...

Man City 2-1 Arsenal: How do Mikel Arteta's Gunners regain momentum and initiative in the Premier League title race after disappointing defeat?

Man City 2-1 Arsenal: How do Mikel Arteta's Gunners regain momentum and initiative in the Premier League title race after disappointing defeat?

"Panic on the streets of London," read the Manchester City banner at full-time. With his hair down, Erling Haaland was singing Flo Rida's: "Oh, someti...

Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk step up for Liverpool in Merseyside derby, Aston Villa set up perfect run-in - Premier League hits and misses

Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk step up for Liverpool in Merseyside derby, Aston Villa set up perfect run-in - Premier League hits and misses

Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have won the lot at Liverpool so you could detect a certain reluctance from them to overstate the significance of th...

Championship talking points: Promotion is now Ipswich's to lose with Southampton's relentless run continuing

Championship talking points: Promotion is now Ipswich's to lose with Southampton's relentless run continuing

It wasn't a pretty performance from Ipswich but showing the character to fight back after going behind twice against Middlesbrough could be the game...