Palmeiras highlight in recent seasons, striker Estêvão, 18, played his last game for the club on Friday (4), precisely against Chelsea-equpe for which it was sold in July last year for 45 million euros, in a negotiation that could reach 61.5 million euros (about $ 392.7 million) if contractual goals are achieved.
In the match, valid for the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup, he scored the goal of the alviverde team in the 2-1 loss to the English team.
Stephen could have already moved to London in April, when he turned 18, but Palmeiras asked Chelsea to wait until the World Cup dispute.
Because he has already worked in the competition for the Brazilian club, he will not be able to defend Chelsea following the tournament. Even so, the coach of the Londrina team, Enzo Maresca, said the young man will spend two days of integration with the cast in the United States before leaving on vacation.
“[Ele] It’s a great talent, a fantastic player. When you come from South America or any other part of the world to Europe, you need to go through a period of adaptation. First, to remain happy and enjoying playing soccer. This adaptation will happen, and it will help Chelsea a lot, “said the Italian coach.
Stephen also received praise from Cole Palmer, 23, author of Chelsea’s first goal against Palmeiras.
“We can see that he is a great player, so we are very excited to have him with us.”
During the match, Stephen even strange to Spanish defender Cucurella in some ball disputes. After the final whistle, however, the Chelsea player minimized the episode.
“It’s football. I try to do my job, he tries to do his. The important thing is that we won, advanced, and he still scored a beautiful goal. I hope he enjoy the holidays, rest and then come together.”
Visibly thrilled after the elimination, Stephen said he was “broken” with his goodbye after Palmeiras after an elimination. He thanked the club where he arrived in 2021, coming from the base of Cruzeiro.
“Very proud to have been part of this cast. My family and I thank Palmeiras a lot. Thank you, Palmeiras, you will always be in my heart.”
In all, the striker played 83 matches for Palmeiras, with 27 goals scored. He won two titles: the Paulista Championship of 2024 and the Brazilian 2023 – his debut was precisely in the last match of the national tournament.
Palmeiras’ next appointment will now be for the Brazilian, against Santos, on July 12 and 13, in Vila Belmiro. The team occupies the fourth position, with 22 points – less than the Flamengo leader.
For the Brazilian Cup, faces Corinthians, in Itaquera, on July 30, for the round of 16.
Already Chelsea will face Fluminense, who eliminated Al Hilal also 2-1 on Friday, in the semifinal of the World Cup. The duel will be played on Tuesday (8).
