As Palmeiras gear up for a high-stakes Club World Cup quarterfinal against Chelsea on Friday, attention has turned to young star Estevão, who is set to join the Premier League side after the tournament.
Despite the imminent move, Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira has assured that the 18-year-old winger remains fully committed to the club’s current campaign.
Ferreira dismissed suggestions that the Chelsea transfer has distracted Estevão, noting that both the player and the club were aware this scenario could unfold during the transfer talks.
He expressed confidence in the youngster’s professionalism, explaining that Estevão has always performed with dedication and does not require extra motivation from the coaching staff.
Ferreira highlighted the team-first mentality within the squad, where players rely on and support one another through every challenge.
Although Estevão has yet to score or assist in the tournament, Ferreira praised the winger’s significant contributions in helping Palmeiras reach the quarterfinal stage.
He expects Estevão to continue delivering key performances and emphasized that the player still has responsibilities to fulfill while wearing the Palmeiras jersey.
Palmeiras earned their place in the last eight with a gritty 1-0 win over fellow Brazilian side Botafogo, underlining their defensive discipline and mental toughness.
Their opponents Chelsea, meanwhile, advanced following a dominant 4-1 extra-time victory over Benfica, showcasing their attacking threat.
Looking ahead to the clash, Ferreira acknowledged the challenge posed by Chelsea. He openly admitted that the English club has greater resources and even pointed out humorously that they had signed Palmeiras’ best player in Estevão, which speaks volumes about their strength.
However, he stressed that this did not diminish his team’s aspirations or ability to compete. The manager believes Palmeiras possess the necessary tools and strategic insight to challenge Chelsea despite the odds.
For Ferreira, success is defined not just by winning, but by giving maximum effort. He noted that satisfaction comes from knowing he and his team gave everything to succeed, regardless of the final score.
As matchday approaches, Ferreira urged his players to fight for their dream, remain vigilant, and give their all until the final whistle—setting the tone for a compelling showdown with Chelsea.