Dirt pitches, dodging dogs and choosing Chelsea - the making of Estevao
Joao Paulo Sampaio, head of the club's academy, explains that their work focuses on preserving the instinct at the heart of Brazilian footballers. "Between taking a player on and making the pass, we encourage them to take the player on," he said. "We want to bring them back to their roots of playing in the street.
" "Here, every boy is expected to master at least three roles. Take Estevao, for instance: he plays as a number 10, but also excels as a seven and an 11. " After winning multiple titles in the academy, he made his first-team debut in 2023, aged 16 - fittingly, against Cruzeiro.
He never looked back. Having established himself in Palmeiras' first team, Estevao continued to attract attention - now from far beyond the borders of Brazil. At the end of the 2024 Brazilian league season, after a match against Fluminense, he met Thiago Silva.
Fresh from ending a four-year spell at Chelsea, Silva told BBC Sport about their conversation - and the message he decided to give him. "The experience of playing for Chelsea and living in London will be unforgettable for me and for my family," he said. "I told Estevao that the club likes to work with and develop young players and that he could use that to make the most of the opportunity.
" Estevao and his family felt the club genuinely wanted him, believed in his potential and were offering a clear pathway for his development - something especially important for a player so young. "I kept telling him that English football is one of the most competitive there is," said Serginho. "Estevao does not back down.