Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has cautioned against comparing teenage sensation Estevão to Lionel Messi after the Brazilian delivered a breathtaking solo goal in a 3–0 Champions League victory over Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
The 18-year-old winger stole the spotlight in the highly anticipated battle of teenage prodigies against Lamine Yamal, scoring his 10th goal of the season for club and country in spectacular fashion. Ten minutes after the restart, Estevão picked up the ball on the right flank, dribbled past two Barcelona defenders and blasted the ball into the top corner beyond Joan García.
Chelsea’s other goals came via a Jules Koundé own goal and a late strike from Liam Delap, as Barcelona finished the match with 10 men after captain Ronald Araújo was sent off.
While fans and pundits rushed to draw parallels between Estevão and Messi, Maresca shut down the hype, urging supporters to allow the youngster to develop without unnecessary pressure.
“Him, Lamine… they are so young, at 18,” Maresca said. “If you start to talk about Messi or Ronaldo, it’s too much pressure for young boys like them. They need to enjoy their football, arrive at the training ground happy, not under that weight.”
Maresca instead likened the goal to one Estevão scored for Palmeiras against Chelsea in the Club World Cup last July, insisting his development must remain gradual.
Estevão, who was serenaded by Chelsea fans throughout the night, described the match as the best moment of his career so far.
“I don’t have words for how I’m feeling,” he told Amazon Prime. “It really was the perfect night. I’m just grateful to God for everything that has happened for me.”
He praised the Chelsea supporters for embracing him immediately since his arrival:
“From the moment I arrived here, I felt such a connection with the fans. I just want to make them happy and score more goals for them.”
Despite the growing calls for the teenager to become a regular starter, Maresca said he would continue selecting lineups based on tactical needs rather than fan pressure.
“Tonight, in probably the most difficult game of the season, we decided to play Estevao,” he said. “But I’m not a manager who denies players minutes. It’s always the game plan that decides the first 11.”
Chelsea’s victory puts them firmly in control of their Champions League league-phase campaign, with three wins from five matches.
