Teenage star Estevao in spotlight as Palmeiras face Chelsea

Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira says teenage winger Estevao won't be distracted when he faces future club Chelsea in Friday's Club World Cup quarterfinal.

Estevao is set to join the Premier League side after the tournament, but the 18-year-old remains focused on the Brazilian club's title push, according to Ferreira.

Palmeiras' Estevao (L) vies with Botafogo's Vitinho during the round of 16 football match between Brazil's Palmeiras and Brazil's Botafogo at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Philadelphia, the United States, June 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

"He and the club already knew that this could happen when negotiations were taking place," Ferreira told reporters on the eve of the match.

"He will do what he has always done and he doesn't need the coach to tell him anything. He won't play alone, nobody plays alone. We run for each other, we lose for each other and we win for each other."

Estevao is yet to register a goal or an assist in the tournament, but Ferreira said the Brazil international had been vital in Palmeiras' march to the last eight. He expects another influential performance from his brightest star in Philadelphia.

"He will do what he has always done and while he is with us, he will have tasks to fulfill," Ferreira said. "After his time at Palmeiras ends, he will fulfill them in the new group."

Palmeiras reached the quarterfinals by beating Brazilian rivals Botafogo 1-0 in the round of 16 while Chelsea advanced with a 4-1 extra-time win over Benfica.

Despite admitting Palmeiras' status as underdog, Ferreira said his players were daring to dream.

"We have to be realistic and say that Chelsea is better than Palmeiras," the 46-year-old said. "They bought our best player [Estevao]. That says it all."

"But it does not invalidate the fact that we have the weapons and ambitions to face our opponents within our resources and strategies. Success for me is when I go to bed knowing that I gave my best. Whether I win or lose, it is the feeling that I gave my all to beat Chelsea.

"We're going to do our best tomorrow. We have a dream and we're going to fight for that dream. We'll keep our eyes open and fight until the end," Ferreira added.