Estevao could be Brazil’s big surprise in the World Cup.

The big surprise for Brazil at the World Cup may not come from one of the established names, but rather from Chelsea’s 18-year-old rising star, Estevao Willian. This is the belief of the Brazilian national team’s assistant coach, Davide Ancelotti, who anticipates a tournament filled with revelations and emerging talents. Confirming the potential of the young winger, Ancelotti, son of the legendary coach Carlo Ancelotti, is part of the Brazilian coaching staff for the tournament taking place from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

In statements to the BBC Radio 5 Live podcast Euro Leagues, Davide did not hesitate: “The player who is going to surprise you is someone who is not yet very well known. We have many attacking players, with talent and varied profiles. If I had to choose one name, it would be Estevao, one of Brazil’s rising talents.” Confidence in the Chelsea youngster is enormous, especially after his debut season in the Premier League, where he has already recorded eight goals and four assists in 34 matches since arriving from Palmeiras for an initial fee of £29 million.

Despite missing Brazil’s recent friendly matches against France and Croatia due to a thigh injury, Estevao has shown he is in form recently, scoring in Chelsea’s overwhelming 7-0 victory over Port Vale in the FA Cup quarter-finals. “He is a huge talent, with a very effective finishing ability. He is someone who will dominate in Europe in the coming years,” Ancelotti emphasized, highlighting the meteoric rise of the young player, who made his debut for the Brazilian national team at 17 and has already scored five goals in 11 international matches.

Before shining on European soil, Estevao was already leaving his mark on Brazilian football. While playing for Palmeiras, he scored 27 goals and provided 15 assists in 83 matches, surpassing records previously held by Neymar, becoming the first player under 18 to reach a combined total of 20 goals and assists in the Brasileirão.

However, while Estevao is already positioning himself as a rising star, Neymar’s future with the national team remains uncertain. At 33 years old, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player, who returned to Santos in January 2025 to avoid the club’s relegation, missed Brazil’s last friendlies, and it is still unclear whether he will be included in the final squad for the World Cup. “In the end, the decision lies with the coach, who has until May 18 to announce the call-up. Neymar is the top scorer in the history of the national team and has every chance to be on the list,” Ancelotti stated.

Neymar, with 79 goals in 128 matches, has surpassed legends such as Pelé, Ronaldo, and Romário, but his return to the national team has been hindered by physical issues that have kept him sidelined since 2023. The uncertainty surrounding his presence at the World Cup keeps fans in suspense until the final decision.

Another name carrying Brazil’s responsibility is Vinicius Jr., star of Real Madrid and one of the most talented players in world football. With eight goals in 47 matches for the national team and a standout season in La Liga, where he has already scored 11 goals, in addition to five in the Champions League, Vinicius is seen as Brazil’s great hope to shine at the World Cup. “Vinicius is a star because of his talent, and the expectations on him are enormous, perhaps only comparable to those of Kylian Mbappé,” commented Ancelotti.

However, Vinicius’s career in Spain has been marked by episodes of racism, with 20 incidents recorded over eight years. The most recent occurred in a Champions League knockout match against Benfica, when the Brazilian stated: “Racists are cowards.” The courage and talent of the young player in the face of these adversities further strengthen the role he plays both on and off the field.

With a team filled with stars and promising players like Estevao Willian and Vinicius Jr., and with the possible presence of Neymar still uncertain, Brazil arrives at the World Cup with a mix of talent, youth, and experience. Davide Ancelotti believes that the surprise of the competition will be the young winger from Chelsea, who has already shown he can perform on the biggest stages of world football. Get ready to see Brazil shine, not only through the already established names but also through those who are ready to emerge and conquer the football world.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.