The last few seasons in the Brazilian Serie A have witnessed many exciting talents showcasing their potential. To name a few, Vitor Roque, Andrey Santos, Endrick, and Angelo Gabriel have gone further to cement their legacy for Brazil.

Alongside them, a new Palmeiras star, Estevao Willian, has been making headlines for his displays at Palmeiras and Brazil U17 squad. Estevao, often known as Messinho, has recently signed a contract with Chelsea to play for them from June 2025, when he turns 18.

Interestingly, recent reports from Mundo Deportivo claim that the player's dad and his agent met FC Barcelona before deciding to join Chelsea. After starring for Brazil in the U17 FIFA World Cup 2023 with three goals and three assists, his agent, Andre Cury, was involved with Deco and the Barcelona board with a view to a potential transfer. However, witnessing Vitor Roque's inability to break into the first team so far made them reluctant.

On top of that, Lamine Yamal's quick rise towards the end of the season and the club's financial difficulties prevented Barcelona from reaching out to sign Messinho.

The report further states that Estevao's father, Ivo Willian, and his agent, Andre Cury, visited the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper last year to discuss Barcelona's sporting project. Moreover, Deco and Barcelona's board had met with Cury and Estevao in Sao Paolo.

In 2023, speaking in an interview, Messinho expressed his love for the Blaugrana,

""Greatest dream to fulfill? Play at Barcelona, which is one of the best clubs in the world. I was born watching Neymar, Messi and Suarez play at Barcelona and that's the dream I have"."

-  Messinho

However, the truth is that Estevao Willian has signed a year contract at the Stamford Bridge, starting in 2025. The London club offered Palmeiras a whopping package of 61M euros for the 17-year-old's transfer. As for Barcelona, they have a gem of their own, with La Masia graduate Lamine Yamal lighting up the UEFA Euro 2024 for Spain.