After scoring a stunning goal against Chelsea in the friendly clash with Palmeiras, 18-year-old Estevão Willian — who is already confirmed as a future Chelsea player — sparked controversy with the way he celebrated
The actions of Brazilian football sensation Estêvão Willian have sparked mixed reactions among football fans—especially those who support Chelsea. Some Chelsea faithful have criticized the young star for what they perceive as a lack of discipline and emotional control, suggesting his behavior demonstrates immaturity and poor judgment. On the other hand, many others see his conduct as a reflection of his intense drive to win and a fiery competitive spirit. As a result, when he eventually joins Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, he’s likely to receive a reception marked by both enthusiasm and skepticism.
The moment that ignited this discussion was Estêvão’s stunning equalizing goal during Palmeiras’ FIFA Club World Cup 2025 clash against Chelsea. Displaying remarkable technical skill, he received the ball near the right byline while being closely marked by Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella. From what seemed like an almost impossible angle, Estêvão unleashed a powerful right-footed shot that soared past goalkeeper Robert Sánchez, struck the underside of the crossbar, and found the back of the net—bringing the score to 1-1.
The goal itself was nothing short of spectacular, sending shockwaves through the 70,000 fans in attendance, who erupted in celebration. Palmeiras’ official X (formerly Twitter) account even labeled it a “golaço”—a Portuguese term for a beautiful or extraordinary goal. However, what truly captured the media’s and fans’ attention was not just the goal, but Estêvão’s celebration that followed.
Rather than toning down his reaction out of respect for Chelsea—the club he has already signed for—Estêvão chose to run straight toward the Palmeiras supporters, cupping his ears as if to silence critics, and performed the now-famous “cold” celebration popularized by Chelsea’s own Cole Palmer: arms folded, expression defiant, eyes locked on the crowd.
What made this gesture even more controversial is the fact that Estêvão had previously used this same celebration as a tribute to Palmer after confirming his move to Chelsea. Now, however, the gesture felt to many like a deliberate provocation directed at Chelsea’s players and supporters, sparking a wave of reactions online.
Social media platforms lit up with divided opinions. Some Chelsea fans were furious. One post read, “You don’t celebrate like that against your future club!” Another person angrily wrote, “That’s not the kind of mentality we need at Chelsea,” suggesting that Estêvão’s actions could indicate a troubling lack of loyalty or humility. However, not all reactions were negative. Many fans rushed to his defense, emphasizing his youth and emotional connection to Palmeiras. One supporter commented, “He’s only 18 and playing for the club he grew up supporting. Let him enjoy the moment—he’ll be wearing Blue soon enough.”
This division in opinion illustrates the broader conflict among Chelsea fans: some interpret the celebration as disrespectful—especially given how close his transfer is—while others simply see an 18-year-old making the most of his final appearances for his childhood club.
Adding to the intensity of the situation is Estêvão’s reputation in Brazil. Nicknamed “Messinho” for his flashy and skillful style reminiscent of Neymar, he has faced criticism from some local football analysts for underperforming in crucial matches. Brazilian pundit Paulo Vinicius Coelho, for example, previously accused him of only scoring against weaker teams while failing to make an impact in high-stakes games.
However, his performance in this tournament—especially the goal against Chelsea and two man-of-the-match awards—appeared to silence some of those doubts. But even as he answered critics in Brazil, he seemed to stir uncertainty among Chelsea fans, many of whom were already concerned after he admitted during an interview with TNT Sports that it was “really hard” to keep his mind focused on Palmeiras while knowing he was heading to Chelsea soon.
At one point, some Palmeiras fans had even called for him to be benched, believing that his attention was divided. Nevertheless, Palmeiras’ manager Abel Ferreira stood by him and encouraged Estêvão to give a “spectacular” final performance before leaving the club—which, by all accounts, he delivered.
For Chelsea, the pain of Estêvão’s celebration was intensified by the match’s larger context. The club had already suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Flamengo during the group stage and had also missed a clear scoring opportunity earlier in the game when Christopher Nkunku failed to convert. Manager Enzo Maresca, who had downplayed Estêvão’s individual threat before the match and emphasized Palmeiras’ strength as a team, appeared visibly shocked by the goal and the emotionally charged celebration that followed.
An added layer of irony deepened the drama. Estêvão had previously interacted with Cole Palmer on social media, where Palmer referred to him as a “star.” The fact that Estêvão used Palmer’s signature celebration—against Chelsea—introduced emotional complexity. It raised questions about whether his show of confidence and bravado would enhance his future in the Premier League or complicate his integration into the squad, where he’ll be competing with Palmer, Noni Madueke, and Pedro Neto for a position.
Ultimately, Estêvão’s unfiltered celebration—confident, defiant, and unapologetic—echoed his own description of football as his “amusement park,” a space where he plays freely and for the joy of entertaining others. Whether Chelsea fans will admire this fearless attitude or view it as arrogance remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that his journey with Chelsea has begun in dramatic fashion—one that is sure to keep fans and pundits watching closely.
