Chelsea youngster Estevao has spoken about the effective man-management skills of his national team boss Carlo Ancelotti, after the Brazil head coach allowed him to miss training to take his driving test.
Nicknamed ‘Messinho’ by fans, the 18-year-old underlined his youth when he revealed how he had been allowed to skip his footballing duties to get his licence.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Estevao said: ‘We were in Sao Paulo with the national team. It was because things were very hectic, I only had a little time there before coming here (to England) so I needed to get my driver’s license.
‘So they gave me a certain time that I had to go for the driving test, and then I got the call-up.
‘That’s when we spoke with Ancelotti to see if he would let me go to get my licence.
‘I went to do my driving test and Ancelotti was waiting at the door for me to see if I passed or not… I was like: “Sir, I passed, I passed!”
Ancelotti has begun to get a tune out of this falling giant – winning four of his last six games
Nicknamed ‘Messinho’ by fans, the 18-year-old underlined his youth when he revealed how he had been allowed to skip his international footballing duties to get his driving licence
‘Then at lunchtime he stopped everyone and said: “Stop everyone! I have some news to tell you… Estevao passed his driving test!”
‘Everyone was laughing so much all around the table.’
Estevao joined Chelsea from Palmeiras in the summer after agreeing an initial £29million deal for the teenager the previous year, and his stock is quickly rising as one of the most exciting young talents in South America.
And he repaid the faith of his manager in Brazil’s 2-0 win over Senegal in their friendly match at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, opening the scoring just before the half-hour mark.
Latching on to a loose ball on the right-hand side of the penalty area, the teenager whipped a shot into the far corner to beat former Chelsea shot stopper Edouard Mendy.
Brazil’s lead was doubled just seven minutes later when an unmarked Casemiro was picked out from a free-kick, before the United midfielder applied the finishing touch.
It was Ancelotti’s fourth win in six games in charge on the South American giants in a performance which showed glimpses of the former Real Madrid manager’s increasing influence with an improved defensive performance – and a welcome clean sheet.
Ancelotti heaped praise on the young Chelsea starlet after the game, who earned his 10th cap in north London on Saturday, saying: ‘Estevao has incredible amount of talent. It’s a surprise this level at his age.
Estevao shone at the Emirates for his national team against Senegal, scoring the opener
‘He’s good at finishing, has a lot of magic… and he works very hard. I can say this: with Estevao, Brazil have a guaranteed future.’
In what will be music to the ears of Chelsea fans, the Italian coach then added: ‘He’s a very talented player. He is able to show every game, in Chelsea too, and he doesn’t need a lot of minutes to show his quality.
‘He can play five minutes and he can show his quality. I think the Brazil national team is really lucky to have him, and also Chelsea.’
Brazil face Tunisia in their next friendly at Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Tuesday. Chelsea then return to action in the Premier League when they travel to Burnley next Saturday.
Elsewhere, Arsenal star Gabriel now appears to be an injury doubt for next weekend’s north London derby after picking up a groin injury in the game.
Ancelotti did not reveal the severity of the issue after the game with tests yet to come, but apologised for the issue.
‘We are really sorry for this, really disappointed, when players have an injury I hope they can recover well and soon,’ he added.
