Chelsea-bound Messinho likened to Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal: ‘He’ll be a star’ | OneFootball

Incoming Chelsea signing Estêvão Willian, known across the globe as Messinho, has this week been likened to Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal.

Messinho, for his part, has long been pulling up trees in his home country of Brazil, shining from his berth out wide with heavyewights Palmeiras.

As much gave rise to a battle for the 17-year-old’s signature earlier this year, between a number of European football’s leading clubs.

In the end, it was Chelsea who agreed to fork over the sum demanded by Palmeiras, understood to come in the region of £56 million.

And, if the latest comments laid out by Messinho’s fellow countryman and Brazilian icon Ronaldo Nazário are anything to go by, then this outlay could yet prove to be a bargain for the Blues.

Speaking to journalist Ben Jacobs, as cited by Goal, this week, ex-Barcelona frontman Ronaldo likened Estêvão to Blaugrana prodigy Lamine Yamal, widely considered to be the game’s standout young talent:

“He’s a young player and very talented. He’s kind of like Lamine Yamal. He will soon be a very big star in football. He’s very promising and at just 17. I think he’ll play for Palmeiras at the Club World Cup then join Chelsea.”

Conor Laird – GSFN