Estevao Willian will arrive at Chelsea without a Brasileiro title to his name after Palmeiras lost out to Botafogo in the title race.
The 17-year-old has enjoyed one of the greatest breakthrough campaigns in the Brazilian top flight of all time, contributing 13 goals and nine assists during the 2024 campaign.
His last-minute free kick versus Cruzeiro earlier this week ensured that Palmeiras remained active in the title race, albeit three points adrift of leaders Botafogo with a match remaining.
Palmeiras' hope had been that they would defeat Fluminense and Botafogo would lose to Sao Paulo on what could have turned into a famous final day.
Instead, Abel Ferreira's side succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to the relegation-threatened side, Chelsea legend Thiago Silva playing a key role in denying a player being tipped for greatness in the Premier League.
VEEEEEEEEEEENCEEEEEEE O FLUMINENSE! KEVIN SERNA MARCA E O #TIMEDEGUERREIROS VENCE O PALMEIRAS POR 1 A 0 NO ALLIANZ PARQUE! ðŸ‡ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡ðŸ‡º pic.twitter.com/DCQ1PZA5x4
— Fluminense F.C. (@FluminenseFC) December 8, 2024
Fluminense pull off great escape
Fluminense won just one of their opening 16 matches to sit adrift in the relegation zone before veteran defender Silva acted as the catalyst for a four-match winning streak soon after his arrival in the summer.
A 1-0 triumph over Cuiabra last time out put them in the box seat to get over the line if they could withstand the wizardly of Estevao and his teammates.
That is how it turned out as Kevin Serna's first-half goal proved to be the difference in a 1-0 success, Mano Menezes' side coming through unbeaten in their last five games to finish the season four points clear of the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Palmeiras ultimately miss out on defending their league crown by six points, goals from Jefferson Savarino and Gregore earning Botafogo a 2-1 triumph over Sao Paulo on Sunday night.
Botafogo have managed to end a 29-year wait for another Brasileiro crown in the process, adding to their first-ever Copa Libertadores trophy that they won at the end of last month.
© Imago
What next for Estevao?
Estevao will now take the rest of the month off from competitive action before recommencing duty with Palmeiras at the start of 2025.
The starlet is expected to spend a period of time at Chelsea having already acknowledged that he is keen to learn English as fast as possible.
As per FIFA regulations, Estevao will stay contracted to Palmeiras until the end of June next year before making his alleged £57.6m switch to Stamford Bridge.
Darren Plant
