Legendary Brazilian striker Bebeto believes teenager Estevao Willian has "everything it takes" to flourish with the Brazil national team.

At the tender age of 17, Estevao Willian only has a year under his belt as a full-time professional footballer. But his playing time at Palmeiras has seen him skip several stages in his development trajectory and fulfil his billing as a top prospect over that short period.

His talent has long been recognised beyond the terraces of the Sao Paulo outfit, with Chelsea eagerly awaiting his arrival in the second half of this year, after the London club secured his signature in a deal that could be worth up to EUR 61.5 million.

Among the latest in a string of admirers is Brazil legend Bebeto, one of the heroes of the 1994 side that claimed the country's fourth FIFA World Cup crown.

In an interview with FIFA, the Brazilian icon was asked what the Seleção could expect from its emerging crop of attacking talent, especially the plethora of wide players coming through. And when it came to Estevao, the former striker was full of high praise.

"As you know, Brazil churn out great players time and time again," said Bebeto. "There's one born every day – it's impressive. I'm really confident about Estevao, who's a special lad. He has everything it takes to shine for Brazil.

"It's just like when Ronaldo was a youngster. When he was with us in 1994, with me, Muller and Romario, who were the forwards, it was a great learning curve for him, and we could already tell that he was different. Estevao is different, too, you'll see."

The leading light for 2024 Brasileirão runners-up Palmeiras, Estevao ended the year with the most goal contributions in the league, having found the net 13 times and provided nine assists in 31 matches, earning him the Breakthrough Player Award and a place in the team of the season. More impressive still, the 17-year-old only established himself in the first team midway through the campaign, in June.

"It's gut-wrenching to miss out on the title, which was the most important thing," said Estevao after Palmeiras fell six points short of champions Botafogo. "I'm always looking for individual honours, too. We need to keep going; there's more to come next year. At 17 years old, I'm experiencing something unforgettable for me. I'm getting more and more mature, so I just have to be grateful."

His performances and maturity earned him his first call-up to the national team for the September matches against Ecuador and Paraguay in the South American qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 26, before Brazil coach Dorival Junior called him up again for the most recent qualifiers last November against Venezuela and Uruguay.

Confidence in the national team

On the pitch, Brazil have put in a series of inconsistent performances. With six qualifying rounds left to play, they find themselves in fifth place with 18 points, seven behind leaders Argentina. For Bebeto, the side's mixed form is only natural given their current period of transition, but he believes they have the most important ingredient: the raw materials.

"We've got great players, like Vini Jr and Rodrygo, two players I really like and am sure will flourish with the national team," said Bebeto. "And we're going through a period of change. We have to be patient.

"We may not be doing well in qualifying, we're fifth, and that's not nice, but it takes time. The coach has practically just arrived, and Dorival is a great coach. We have to be patient. The problem with Brazilians, or perhaps the whole world, is they want everything right there and then."

The future for Estevao

At Palmeiras, Estevao has mainly been deployed as a right winger, not only owing to his speed and ability to get away from the full-back, but also as a kind of protective measure conceived by coach Abel Ferreira. In wide areas, the slight and slender prodigy is subjected to fewer tackles.

Now, with his sights set firmly on the future, the virtuoso believes he should move into midfield to give him greater freedom to showcase his creative flair and carve out attacks.

"I started playing as a winger towards the end of my academy days, to avoid as much physical contact and give me more 1v1s," said Estevao. "That's how I earned my spot in the Palmeiras side, where there's a lot of competition for places in the middle of the park, but really, I'm more of a midfielder. That's where I'm in my element. In a few years' time, I'd like to get back to playing in my original position."

Estevao will turn 18 on 24 April and will stay at Palmeiras until after the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, where the Brazilian giants will face Al Ahly, Inter Miami and Porto in Group A. After the tournament, he will join Chelsea, who will also take part in the competition in the USA and will come up against Flamengo, Espérance and Club León in the group stage.

While Bebeto understands that the English club were the highest bidders and is aware of the prevailing reality in the Brazilian market, in which wonderkids end up leaving early for Europe, he would have preferred a different destination for Estevao.

"I'd love him to have gone to Spain, because Spanish football is all about technique and speed, which is his game," said the former Deportivo La Coruna and Sevilla striker. "He's going to England, to Chelsea, and while that's a great league too, La Liga would be better for Estevao. It would suit him better. But let's hope it all works out."