Palmeiras’s move to Chelsea winger Estevao Willian has said he is already imagining the clash against his “biggest idol”. Lionel Messi At next year’s FIFA Club World Cup.
Messi and MLS team Inter Miami have been drawn in Group A and will face Al Ahly in the opening match of the expanded 32-team tournament before matches against FC Porto and Palmeiras.
estevao Told ESPN Brazil: “I’m going to ask for his shirt! Who knows, maybe score a goal, win the game… I think that’s the most important thing.”
Estevao, who will join Chelsea after the tournament in the United States, was often compared to Argentinian icon Messi when he started playing at Cruzeiro, hence the nickname ‘Mesinho’, meaning ‘little Messi’. ‘
The starlet has avoided that nickname, although not for any lack of reverence for the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player.
On getting ready to face Messi, he said, “When we came to their group, I couldn’t believe that I was going to face my biggest idol, a man who was great on and off the field. There’s a reference for me.” “It’s going to be a special moment, not only for me, but for all the Palmeiras fans, the players. I think it will be very important.”
Estévão, 17, was named Breakthrough Player in Brazil’s top flight. After being promoted to the first team in January, the Brazil international scored 13 goals and provided nine assists in 31 league games, helping Palmeiras finish second in the domestic league.