Luis Suarez says Estevao ‘still has a lot to learn’ and should look to ignore comparisons with Lionel Messi while he’s trying to carve out his own legacy in the game.
Estevao, widely considered to be among the most exciting young attackers on the planet, is set to join up with Chelsea later this summer once Palmeiras’ participation at the Club World Cup comes to an end.
The Blues beat off strong competition from Europe’s elite to complete a £28million deal for Estevao last June and the 18-year-old forward is already being tipped for a big future at Stamford Bridge.
All eyes were on Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on Monday night as Palmeiras and Inter Miami played out an entertaining 2-2 draw to ensure they both advanced through to the knockout phase of the competition.
Though Estevao was not on scoresheet in Florida, it proved an unforgettable night for the teenager as he went toe to toe with his ‘idol’ Messi, who scored Inter Miami’s second in the 65th minute.
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Estevao, who has been nicknamed ‘Messinho’ (little Messi) in his native Brazil, even came away with a souvenir from the contest after he was pictured swapping shirts with the Argentinian legend at the half-time break.
‘It was incredible, sensational,’ Estevao said of his meeting with Messi.
‘He’s a player I’ve watched play since I was little. I play with him in video game. It was an incredible pleasure to be playing on the field with him.
‘He’s my idol and a role model for me. I learned a lot.
‘What mattered most was our dedication, our courage to play and always fight until the end.
‘We sought the result, which was a draw and we qualified in first place, which was our objective.’
Not satisfied with Messi’s shirt alone, Estevao also managed to get his hands on Suarez’s jersey after the final whistle.
The pair were seen exchanging a few kind words and sharing an embrace before making their way off the field in Miami.
Asked about Estevao’s similarities to Messi following the draw, ex-Liverpool and Barcelona striker Suarez said: ‘I think comparisons are not wise.
‘He had to make his own name and they [Estevao and Messi] are different players.
‘Of course, I admire his age and his personality. Playing this type of game at his age is admirable.
‘I wish him the best because he is young and still has a lot to learn.’
Speaking to TNT Sports Brazil, Estevao admitted he was finding it difficult to ‘focus’ at the Club World Cup, with his dream move to the Premier League coming into view on the horizon.
‘It’s really hard,’ he said.
‘Going to Chelsea is a dream come true but knowing that I need to focus here first… it’s not easy.
‘You have to maintain your focus here. The closer it gets, the anxiety starts to hit, the butterflies in the stomach begin.
‘But I’m trying to focus as much as possible here, to leave everything I can on the pitch, to leave here well.
‘I want to go with my head held high through the door, knowing that I did my very best here.’
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