Estevao Willian scored two goals as Brazil defeated South Korea 5-0 in an international friendly in Seoul on Friday.
The Chelsea teenager opened the scoring in the 13th minute when he timed an off-the-ball run to perfection, before handling a pass from Bruno Guimaraes with a composed first-time finish.
Estevao found the net again early in the second half as his sharp pressing forced a goal inside the Korean penalty area before curling home with his left foot.
Rodrygo also scored twice on Friday, while Real Madrid teammate Vinicius Junior was also on target.
Estevao Willian triples international goal tally as Brazil attacks South Korea
Friday’s match was only Estevao’s eighth senior international appearance for Brazil.
He had scored once in his previous seven appearances, with that goal resulting in a 3–0 win over Chile in September.
Estevao therefore tripled his international goal tally during his dominant performance in Seoul. He has now scored more goals for his country than Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli, who scored two in 19 games and was an unused substitute on Friday.
Estevao Willian’s stats in Brazil’s victory over South Korea
Estevao started the match on Friday and remained on the pitch until the 70th minute.
Before being subbed off for West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta, Estevao touched the ball 36 times, including three touches inside the Korean 18-yard box.
He had a 100% conversion rate from his two shots, created one chance for a teammate and completed 81% of his 21 passes.
Chelsea fans salute ‘Starboy’ Estevao Willian
Estevao’s support for Brazil came six days after he scored the winning goal for Chelsea in a dramatic 2-1 win over Liverpool.
Blues supporters are hugely excited for the 18-year-old at the moment and many took to social media to show their admiration after his latest performance.
One fan wrote: “Three goals in two games for Estevao Willian – my boy is on fire.”
Another wrote: “Estevao Willian scored Gabriel Martinelli’s entire career total in just 47 minutes. My Starboy.”
Meanwhile, several fans declared: “Estevao Willian is HIM.”
Others focused on his coming of age at such a young age, with one tweet writing: “Estevao is already carrying Brazil at 18.”
Several Chelsea fans said: “Estevao Willian is HIM” after his fine performance for Brazil against South Korea
Estevao Willian compared to Neymar
A recurring theme among fans online was the comparison with Neymar, who is still Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals.
One supporter claimed: “Estevao is the de facto heir to Neymar’s throne – this boy is a star.”
Another said: “People said Raphinha would be the next Neymar at 28. Estevao proves he is the next Neymar at 18.”
A third fan wrote: “Estevao is truly the best Brazilian talent since Neymar. Generational player.”
Will Neymar and Estevao Willian both go to the World Cup with Brazil?
Estevao looks almost certain to be in Brazil’s squad for the expanded 2026 World Cup next summer, especially if he continues to play regularly for Chelsea between now and the end of the season.
Neymar’s situation is less simple. He has not played for his country since October 2023 and has missed several selections under Carlo Ancelotti. At the age of 33, fitness and form remain major question marks.
Since rejoining Santos at the start of this year, his contribution has been limited by three separate injuries. He played in less than half of their matches and most of his goals and assists came against lower division opponents in the state championship and not against Brazil’s top flight.
There are also doubts about how Ancelotti sees him. Neymar – who is reportedly in line to inherit around $1 billion from a mystery donor – initially insisted he was left out for “technical reasons” and not fitness, before the coach later suggested it was a combination of the two.
Brazilian legend Cafu has already warned that “even stars have to prove they are fit” and described the situation as “worrying” if Neymar cannot remain available.
Public opinion is also divided. Polls in Brazil earlier this year showed almost half of fans want him in the World Cup squad, but a large minority believe it is time to move on.
Based on the latest betting odds, Brazil would have an implied 11.76% chance of winning the World Cup next year, with only Spain, France and England rated as more likely champions.
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