Estevao sets Champions League record that even Lionel Messi missed out on after scoring for Chelsea in 2-2 draw vs Qarabag

Chelsea sensation Estevao Willian has achieved a feat that even football icon Lionel Messi didn't achieve during his teenage years after scoring for the Blues in the 2-2 draw with Qarabag in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, November 5.

Estevao opened the scoring for Chelsea in the 16th minute, cutting inside from the right before capping it off with a lovely finish into the bottom right corner. In the process, he became the first South American player to score in consecutive Champions League games while aged 18 or younger, etching his name into the competition’s history. The Brazil international was also on the scoresheet in Chelsea’s last UCL outing, a 5-1 win over Ajax Amsterdam.

Lionel Messi, despite his legacy in the Champions League, couldn’t score in back-to-back games in the competition as a teenager. The Argentine’s first consecutive goals in the UCL came in 2007, when he was already 20 years old.

In addition to setting a new record, Estevao impressed on the night, although his side was held to a stalemate. He played the entirety of the match, recording 56 touches, had eight touches in the opposition box (most), won eight duels (joint-most), completed three take-ons (most), and created three chances (most).

After the match, he was named Man of the Match and was the highest-rated player among the two teams with a match rating of 7.7, according to Sofascore.

When Chelsea’s Estevao named Lionel Messi as the player he’s always looked up to

Estevao Willian has been tipped by many as one of the most promising talents in the sport. Nicknamed ‘Messinho’ due to his playing style and flair, Estevao acknowledged Lionel Messi as his source of inspiration. The 18-year-old told The Athletic while at Palmeiras during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

"He’s a player I have always looked up to," Estevao said. "When I was a kid, I would watch videos of him, then go out to the pitch and try to copy what I had seen. "As soon as the final whistle blows, I’m going to run to him so we can swap shirts. But before that, I’ll be giving my everything so Palmeiras walk off the field with three points. I couldn’t have chosen a better way to end this stage of my career. Palmeiras is my home and being able to say goodbye while competing for a Club World Cup… It’s indescribable."

So far at Chelsea, Estevao has scored four goals and provided one assist in 15 appearances across all competitions.

Edited by Ezekiel Olamide