Estevão Eyes Ballon d’Or Glory, Sets Sights on Rivals Lamine Yamal, Franco Mastantuono

Rising Brazilian football star Estevão Willian, popularly known as “Messinho,” has voiced his ambition to one day compete for the Ballon d’Or, naming Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and River Plate’s Franco Mastantuono as the two prodigies he hopes to rival for the prestigious title in the near future.

Speaking from the United States during a recent interview, Estevão expressed optimism about a future where the world’s most coveted individual football prize could be contested among a new generation of talent that includes him.

“I sincerely hope so,” the Palmeiras winger said. “We’re all the same age, and it would be amazing and very interesting to find ourselves in that situation.”

The 17-year-old has earned international attention for his dazzling performances with Palmeiras, which recently led to a confirmed transfer deal with Chelsea. The English club secured his signature for a fee believed to be around €34 million plus add-ons, with the player set to officially join the Blues in 2025 after he turns 18 and concludes his commitments with Palmeiras, including the FIFA Club World Cup.

Estevão spoke highly of his peers, calling Lamine Yamal “a fantastic young player” who “had an incredible season,” and praised Mastantuono as “a great player with incredible potential.” The admiration appears mutual, as all three teenagers are widely seen as the torchbearers of a new football generation already making waves in their respective continents.

Yamal, 17, made headlines for his standout performances with Barcelona and the Spanish national team, including in the UEFA Champions League. Mastantuono, also 17, has emerged as one of Argentina’s brightest midfielders, attracting attention from Real Madrid, who are reportedly finalizing a move for him.

Despite being dubbed “Messinho” for his Messi-like flair and dribbling, Estevão is focused on carving out his own legacy. In a previous interview, he described winning the Ballon d’Or as his “second-biggest dream,” only behind lifting the FIFA World Cup for Brazil.

Football legend Ronaldo Nazário has already endorsed the youngster, likening Estevão’s qualities to a mix of Yamal and Neymar, and backing him to become “a very big star” in the global game.

Chelsea fans are eagerly awaiting his arrival, hoping Estevão can replicate the kind of explosive impact seen from other South American stars who have gone on to dominate European football.

As the football world watches this new trio rise—Estevão in Brazil (and soon England), Yamal in Spain, and Mastantuono in Argentina—the Ballon d’Or may well see a generational shift in the coming years. If Estevão’s words are any indication, he is not only ready for the challenge but is already plotting his path to football immortality.