Brazilian wonderkid admits his ‘biggest dream’ is to play for Barcelona, idolises Messi, Neymar

In an exclusive interview with Roger Torello of Mundo Deportivo, Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian, also known as Messinho, has admitted that his biggest dream is to play for FC Barcelona in the future.

The 16-year-old Palmeiras prodigy has been making a lot of waves in Brazil and is widely regarded as one of the most promising young talents along with the likes of Endrick and Vitor Roque.

Estevao is already on the radars of Barcelona and the player, who is likened to Lionel Messi, due to some similarities in their style of play, has admitted that his biggest dream is to play for Barça.

When asked about his biggest dream, Estevao admitted: “To play for Barcelona, which is one of the best clubs in the world. I was born watching Neymar, Messi, and Suárez play for Barcelona and that’s the dream I have.”

The teenage sensation admitted that he follows the Blaugrana very closely, saying: “Yes, I watch almost every Barça match, I’m a fan of the club. I have great admiration for the players who play there and I hope to be there too.”

Estevao will turn 18 in 2025 at which point he can leave Brazil for Europe. When asked if he would like to play at the fully-renovated Spotify Camp Nou in 2026 when the stadium is fully ready, the youth sensation replied: “Yes, it would be a dream come true.”

Barcelona are not the only club watching Estevao, with other big teams like Manchester City and PSG also attentive to his development. On how it feels to be on the radars of such elite clubs, the 16-year-old said:

“Sometimes it’s a bit difficult to explain because I know that these big clubs are interested in me, but I’m focused on improving my football, trying to do my best to be able to get to these clubs and develop more and more and be the best in the world.”

Admiration for Messi, Neymar

When asked to define himself as a player, Estevao admitted that he tries to base his game on Ballon d’Or favourite Messi, saying:

“I look a lot at Messi, who is a player I admire a lot. I watch videos of him and try to reproduce what he does on the pitch and sometimes it works.”

“I like to assist, give assists, dribble, score goals, anything as long as it helps my team to win,” he added.

On being asked if Messi has always been his idol, Estevao waxed lyricals about the Argentine, saying: “Yes, it has always been him, he is a player that inspires me, I watch videos of him every day. He is a master.

“I have no words to describe him. Everything he does is phenomenal. How can I explain in words that everything he does is phenomenal, I always try to reproduce him on the pitch.”

The Palmeiras prodigy then went on to reveal that he aspires to follow in Messi’s footsteps and achieve what he has in the game, saying:

“Of course I do. I’ll say it’s difficult but not impossible, but maybe I’ll follow in his footsteps. Everything he has achieved is difficult, but God willing, one day we will achieve it.”

When asked to name other players he admires, ‘Messinho’ picked yet another Barcelona icon in Neymar as he said: “I really like Neymar, who is also Brazilian and one of the best in the world. I also watch videos of him.”

When asked about his most favoured position on the pitch, the teenage attacking midfielder replied: “I can play on the right, but I feel more comfortable floating in the middle, so I’m closer to the box, I can turn to the left, to the right and it’s the place where I feel freer when it comes to playing.”

Estevao was also probed about Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal who is enjoying a breakthrough campaign at the Catalan outfit.

“Yes, of course, I saw him. He’s a very talented player, I’ve seen several of his games, and who knows if we could play together in the future,” the youngster said about the Barcelona prodigy.

Estevao also touched upon compatriot Vitor Roque, who will be joining Barcelona next year, and hinted that he would like to play with the striker for the Catalan giants.

“I was very happy when I found out he was going there. He is a guy with whom I get on very well, we are friends. We have already played together. I was very happy for him. Who knows if one day we will play together at Barcelona,” he said.