Enzo Maresca played down comparisons between Estevao and Lionel Messi on Tuesday after Chelsea’s prodigy scored a spectacular Champions League solo goal in a thumping 3-0 win against Barcelona.
The 18-year-old Brazilian emphatically won the battle of the prodigies against Lamine Yamal as the London club won its third match of five in the competition phase.
Estevao’s moment of magic came ten minutes after half-time when he received the ball on the right before beating two defenders and smashing it into the roof of Joan Garcia’s net.
It was the winger’s tenth goal of the season for club and country, just months into his first season at Stamford Bridge.
Also read | Chelsea beat Barcelona 3-0; Estevao wins the battle between young prodigies and Yamal
Chelsea’s other goals were an own goal from Barcelona defender Jules Kounde and a late strike from substitute Liam Delap.
The Spanish side were reduced to 10 men late in the second half when captain Ronald Araujo was sent off for a second yellow card.
Chelsea boss Maresca was asked if Estevao’s strike reminded him of Argentina great Messi, but he said it instead resembled a goal the forward had scored for previous club Palmeiras against Chelsea during the Club World Cup in July.
Maresca tried to ease the pressure on his young player and quickly became a fan favorite. He said he needed to ‘relax’ and enjoy his football.
“Him, Lamine, they are so young, 18 years old, that when you start talking about Messi and (Cristiano) Ronaldo, I think it’s too much pressure for young boys like them.
«Eighteen, they have to enjoy it, they have to arrive on the training field happy. But if you compare them with Messi or Ronaldo, I think it’s too much for them.»
Estevao, serenaded by Chelsea supporters on Tuesday, said it was the «best moment» of his career so far.
“I don’t really have words to sum up how I feel right now,” he told Amazon Prime. “It really was the perfect evening.” I’m just grateful to God for everything that has happened for me.”
“From the moment I got here, I felt such a connection with the fans,” he added.
«I’m just so happy that I could score for them and make them happy. I hope to continue to make them happy and score more goals for them.»
Maresca said that despite his stunning form he would not be under any added pressure to play against Estevao.
“Tonight we decided, probably in the most difficult match of the season, to play Estevao,” he said.
«So I’m not a manager who doesn’t let players play minutes. It’s just the game plan, the game plan always determines the first 11.»
Published on November 26, 2025
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