Davide Ancelotti Names Chelsea’s Estevao Willian as Brazil’s Potential World Cup Breakout Star

Brazil assistant Davide Ancelotti identifies 18-year-old Estevao Willian as the potential breakout star for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 8:17 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from BBC Sport

The Emergence of a New Offensive Catalyst

Davide Ancelotti, serving as the primary tactical assistant to his father, Carlo Ancelotti, has signaled a generational shift in the Brazilian national team’s attacking options. During a recent appearance on the BBC’s Euro Leagues podcast, the 36-year-old coach singled out Estevao Willian as the player most likely to stun international audiences this summer. Ancelotti described the Chelsea winger as a "rising talent" whose technical profile and clinical finishing ability make him a unique asset within a Brazilian squad already brimming with elite forwards like Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo.

Shattering Records and Transitioning to Europe

Estevao’s rise has been historically significant, as he surpassed a long-standing record held by Neymar at Santos to become the first under-18 player to record over 20 combined goals and assists in the Brazilian top flight. Since completing his £29 million move from Palmeiras to Chelsea in the summer of 2025, the teenager has adapted rapidly to the physical demands of English football, contributing eight goals and four assists in 34 appearances. Despite a recent hamstring injury that sidelined him during the March international break, Estevao proved his fitness by scoring in Chelsea’s 7-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Port Vale last weekend.

The Uncertainty Surrounding Neymar’s Final Selection

While Estevao represents the future of the Selecao, the involvement of Brazil’s all-time leading scorer remains a subject of intense debate. Neymar, who has 79 goals in 128 caps, was omitted from the most recent friendly fixtures against France and Croatia due to ongoing muscle fitness concerns. Since returning to his boyhood club, Santos, in January 2025, the 33-year-old has struggled to maintain a consistent run of games for the national team. Ancelotti noted that while Neymar’s experience is invaluable, the final 26-man squad list, due on May 18, will depend entirely on the forward’s physical condition and performance levels over the coming weeks.