Erling Haaland appeared to send Chelsea’s newest starlet a seal of approval after watching his score the latest of winners against Premier League champions Liverpool on Saturday evening.
The Blues had been the first to draw blood in west London, with former Reds target Moises Caicedo netting a bulleted strike in the 14th minute.
But as the match wore on, Arne Slot’s visitors found their equaliser via a moment of magic from Cody Gakpo in the 63rd minute.
The hosts continued to threaten at Stamford Bridge however, with head coach Enzo Maresca introducing a number of potent substitutions including Romeo Lavia, Jorrel Hato, and Marc Guiu.
And deep into added time, the pressure eventually told, with Marc Cucurella setting up the 18-year-old at the back post to steal all three points – in a distinctly Liverpool-like fashion – and introduce himself properly to his home fans.
Estevao’s winners sparked jubilant celebrations, not least from the player himself, who was almost pushed into the stands by his team-mates, and collapsed on the turf in delight at full-time.
Estevao announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful with his crucial late winner against Liverpool on Saturday night
The Brazilian teenager was lethal at the back post to snatch all three points for the Blues
Maresca also had a hard time containing himself, sprinting the length of the touchline to celebrate with his players in front of the Matthew Harding End in wild scenes that invariably earned him a second yellow card and a swift sending-off.
But pandemonium may have been justified, with the Blues having gone a month without a win in the Premier League – and to celebrate a breakthrough in front of goal from the new recruit.
Manchester City’s goalscoring behemoth may have thought so too, with Haaland sharing a picture of himself watching the goal on Snapchat.
The 25-year-old captioned the image ‘wonderkid’ to make his feelings on the Brazil international clear.
Estevao initially signed for Chelsea during the summer 2024 transfer window, but due to restrictions over his age, an agreement was struck for the forward to see out the season at his previous club Palmeiras until he turned 18.
There, the teenager became the youngest player to be named ESPN Brazil’s Player of the Year, earned his first senior call-up to the national team, and even scored against his new side during this summer’s Club World Cup.
Man City was among the outfits interested in signing the youngster, with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain also beaten out by the Blues.
Estevao looked to be making himself at home at Chelsea, with the starlet feted by his team-mates after full-time.
Erling Haaland showed his approval on social media as he watched the match on television
The Chelsea newcomer was rightly showered in praise by his team-mates in west London
But Enzo Maresca’s celebrations were a little too full-throated, earning the manager a red card
Fellow Brazil star Joao Pedro swept Estevao into a bear hug, lifting the player off his feet, while Cole Palmer posted a picture of the two hugging on his Instagram Story.
In the absence of Maresca for post-match media duties as per FA rules, former ‘keeper and assistant coach Willy Caballero noted the difficulties that young players can have moving leagues to join top clubs.
‘We know that a young player can suffer when he moves from another country to settle down here and to play for this club,’ Caballero said.
‘So the players, first of all, are doing a great job to involve all the new players. And when we have the chance, we work.
‘I can speak with him most of the time in Spanish because he understands. And he’s a really good kid. And we are so happy for him because he needs it, we need it, and he needs a goal as well.’
For his part, Estevao appeared delighted after the full-time whistle at how things have been working out in west London.
‘Things at Chelsea have gone a lot better so far than I maybe imagined,’ he told his club’s media team. ‘I feel so good in training every day and I enjoy every moment.
‘I have fantastic team-mates and coaching staff around me that help me each day, and it’s very helpful that I have my family with me and they’ve helped me really settle into life in England and the Premier League.
‘I couldn’t be happier!’
