‘EX-MESSINHO’
Palmeiras player celebrated meeting with idol in the competition in 2025
Published on December 11, 2024 at 2:41 pm
Estêvão celebrates goal scored by Palmeiras Credit: Cesar Greco/Palmeiras
‘Messinho’ and Messi will face each other. The draw for the 2025 Club World Cup placed Palmeiras in the same group as Inter Miami, providing Estêvão with the Argentine star, his idol in the sport. Although the tournament is still a few months away, the Brazilian player is already celebrating the moment.
“When we fell into his group, I couldn’t believe that I was going to face my biggest idol, a guy who is a reference on and off the field for me. It’s going to be a special moment, not only for me, but for all Palmeiras fans , the players. I think it will be very important”, he said, in an interview with ESPN.
Estêvão earned the nickname ‘Messinho’ at youth level, due to his way of playing and his ability with his left leg. Today, he no longer likes to be called that, and prefers to be remembered by his own name. But the idolatry for Messi continues.
“Since I was little, being called Messinho, I confess that I don’t like it. Since I was ten years old, at Cruzeiro’s base. I don’t like comparisons. For those who don’t know how to deal with it, it’s quite disruptive. At 17 years old, I don’t have time to waste listening to criticism. I want to be happy, I love playing football, I want to enjoy it to the fullest. Being Estêvão is very good”, he commented.
The tournament will be one of Estêvão’s last acts for Palmeiras before going to Chelsea. He revealed that he will make a special request to Messi. “I’m going to ask for his shirt. Maybe score a goal, win the game…. I think that’s the most important thing. God willing, everything will be fine.”
