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According to a report by Football London on Thursday, November 5, 2026, Brazilian football legend Neymar has sent Chelsea youngster Estevao Willian a special one-word message after being impressed by his performance in the Blues' 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Saturday.
The €112m-rated winger produced an impressive display at Stamford Bridge, making his first Premier League start of the season and reminding manager Xabi Alonso of his quality.
Estevao had struggled to secure regular playing time during the early stages of the campaign, but his performance against Manchester United provided a strong response to his limited involvement.
Following the match, Alonso praised the Brazilian teenager, describing his display as the perfect response to being left out of the starting lineup for much of the season.
Speaking after the victory, the Chelsea manager revealed that he had informed Estevao following their defeat to Tottenham Hotspur that he would start against Manchester United.
Alonso said: "He has had the best response to show that he deserves more, that he was prepared and that's what you want from a football player, so I'm very happy for him."
The Chelsea boss also praised the youngster's relationship with the supporters and his commitment throughout the match, insisting that he deserved to enjoy the moment.
Estevao's performance also caught the attention of Neymar, who is regarded as one of his biggest footballing inspirations.
After Morgan Rogers opened the scoring with an impressive solo effort against Manchester United, he celebrated alongside Estevao by copying Neymar's famous celebration.
The moment attracted the attention of the Brazilian superstar, who later reshared Estevao's Instagram story featuring the celebration.
Neymar accompanied the post with a one-word message: "Fenômenos".
The Portuguese expression translates to "Phenomena" in English and reflected the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward's admiration for the Chelsea youngster and his teammate.
Estevao has previously spoken about his admiration for Neymar, who is among the footballers he looks up to alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The teenager has often been compared to Neymar because of their Brazilian background and similarities in their playing styles.
However, Estevao has previously identified Messi as his biggest footballing inspiration, praising the Argentine's talent while also expressing admiration for Ronaldo's dedication and professionalism.
Meanwhile, Estevao will hope his performance against Manchester United has convinced Alonso to give him another starting opportunity.
Chelsea travel to the Stadium of Light on Sunday to face Sunderland, with the Brazilian youngster aiming to make his second consecutive Premier League start.