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According to a report by Football London on 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 delivered an excellent display at Stamford Bridge, making his first Premier League start of the season and reminding manager Xabi Alonso of the quality he possesses.
Estevao had struggled to secure regular playing time during the opening 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 performance as the best possible response to being left out of the starting lineup for much of the season.
Speaking after the victory, the Chelsea manager explained that he had informed Estevao after the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur that he would be starting 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 connection with the supporters and his determination throughout the encounter, adding that he deserved to enjoy his performance.
Estevao's impressive display also attracted attention from Neymar, one of his biggest footballing idols.
After Morgan Rogers opened the scoring with an excellent solo effort against Manchester United, he celebrated alongside Estevao by imitating Neymar's famous celebration.
The celebration caught the attention of the Brazilian superstar, who subsequently reshared Estevao's Instagram story featuring the moment.
Neymar accompanied the post with a one-word message: "Fenômenos".
The Portuguese word translates to "Phenomena" in English and was a clear expression of admiration for the Chelsea youngster and his teammate.
Estevao has previously spoken openly about his admiration for Neymar, who is among the footballers he looks up to alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The teenager has frequently been compared to Neymar because of their Brazilian heritage and similar playing styles.
However, Estevao previously revealed that Messi remains his biggest footballing reference, explaining that he admires the Argentine's talent while also appreciating Ronaldo's dedication and professionalism.
Meanwhile, Estevao will be hoping his performance against Manchester United has done enough to convince Alonso to hand him another starting opportunity.
Chelsea travel to the Stadium of Light on Sunday to face Sunderland, with the Brazilian youngster hoping to make his second consecutive Premier League start.