"Wind the film back to the end of January. Estêvão, with four brief substitute appearances under his belt, was a promise and a possibility for Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad. Neymar, meanwhile, was a certainty. The one-time boy prince was returning to Santos, where the story started, and his old club was going to give him a platform to round off the narrative with one final attempt at World Cup glory."
"Fast forward 10 months, and things have turned out very differently. Estêvão is going from strength to strength and was given his first Brazil start in Carlo Ancelotti's debut match in charge. He is making an extreme case to be an integral part of the World Cup team, helping himself to five goals between September and November. And the wonder strike -- off his weak foot -- in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League merely reinforces the point that Chelsea would"
Estêvão began the year as a substitute prospect but progressed rapidly into a starter and first Brazil start under Carlo Ancelotti, scoring five goals between September and November. Chelsea acquired him and his wonder strike — off his weak foot — in a 3-0 Champions League win over Barcelona underscored his extraordinary talent. Neymar returned to Santos but suffered a knee injury that may rule him out of the season's final three games while his club sits in the relegation zone. Santos' historic legacy and youth development elevated expectations when Neymar initially emerged.
Read at ESPN.com
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