The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has not been short on narratives, and the quarterfinals present an intriguing matchup as Chelsea take on Brazilian side Palmeiras in Philadelphia on Friday.
Taking the field for Palmeiras this summer has been 18-year-old Brazilian star Estevao, who is set for a move to the Premier League in short order.
He was signed by Chelsea for €34 million ($40m / £29m) over a year ago, with another €23 million available in performance related add-ons, and will join up with the English club ahead of next season.
However, knowing he is set for Chelsea action imminently, how could he be allowed to line up against his future side at the Club World Cup? The Sporting News explains the logistics behind this summer quirk.
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Who is new Chelsea signing Estevao?
Estevao Willian Almeida de Oliveira Goncalves, known simply as Estevao, was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil and began his youth career with Serie A club Cruzeiro at 10 years old.
The 18-year-old signed a deal with Nike the following year, making him the youngest-ever Brazilian player to pen a sponsorship deal with the apparel brand.
He made the switch to Palmeiras in May of 2021, when he was 14 years old, and made his debut for the club two years later in late 2023. At 16 years 8 months old, he was the club's fourth-youngest ever debutant.
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The young winger became a regular for Palmeiras last season, scoring 13 goals and assisting nine more in 31 league appearances, adding four goals and one assist in five Copa Libertadores matches. He has taken a step back this season, with no goals and three assists in 11 league games, and has yet to score in the Club World Cup.
Primarily playing on the right, Estevao can occasionally move to the left, where he played against Botafogo in the Club World Cup Round of 16.
How can Estevao play against Chelsea at the Club World Cup?
Because Estevao's deal with Chelsea doesn't kick in until after the Club World Cup, the Brazilian star is not technically a Chelsea player just yet.
While he was signed back in May of 2024, he could not legally join Chelsea until his 18th birthday, which was this April.
Thus, he can play against his future club, as awkward as it may be. He will officially join Chelsea the day after Palmeiras are eliminated from the tournament or lift the trophy.
While Estevao has largely been a winger for Palmeiras, and will probably play out wide against his future club on Friday, according to Ben Jacobs of GetMeSport, he wants to play as a No. 10 for the Premier League club. Something Cole Palmer might have some thoughts on.