Estevao and Yamal could be next Messi and Ronaldo, says Maresca

Estevao and Lamine Yamal could be the next Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo if they are allowed to enjoy their football, believes Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.

Estevao scored a fine goal as Chelsea beat 10-man Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday, driving into the penalty area from the right wing before blasting home.

At the age of 18 years and 215 days, the Brazilian is the third teenager to score on each of his first three Champions League starts, after Kylian Mbappe (18 years, 113 days) and Erling Haaland (19 years, 107 days).

Estevao also created a game-high three chances and attempted five dribbles – a joint-high tally among Chelsea players alongside Pedro Neto.

Lamine Yamal attempted twice as many for Barca, but the Spaniard’s influence was limited after Ronald Araujo was dismissed for two bookable offences and he was substituted late on.

Speaking to BeIN Sports after full-time, Maresca talked up the prospects of Estevao and Yamal enjoying an iconic rivalry, though he warned Chelsea and Barca must still show them patience as they develop.

“As Raphinha said, probably in the next 10, 15 years, Estevao and Lamine Yamal are probably going to be the next Messi and Ronaldo,” he said.

“But for both, they are 18. They need to enjoy it, to try to improve every day. This is the most important thing for them.”

Before joining Chelsea in a pre-arranged move, Estevao scored against the Blues while playing for Palmeiras in the Club World Cup quarter-finals, with another powerful finish from wide of the right post.

“The goal Estevao scored reminded me of the one he scored against us in the Club World Cup. It’s very similar, the same action,” Maresca recalled.

“He needs to relax. He needs to enjoy his football; he needs to play football.

“Him and Lamine are such young boys at 18, if you start to talk about Ronaldo and Messi, that’s too much pressure for young boys like them.

“They need to arrive at the training ground happy for sessions, but when you start to compare them with those two, it could be too much for them.”