Chelsea starlet Estêvão breaks Champions League record and almost sets another

Chelsea 5-1 Ajax 

Chelsea’s emphatic 5-1 win over Ajax may have been a straightforward result for the Premier League giants as they look to qualify for the knock-out rounds of the Champions League, but it was also a night to remember for young Brazilian striker Estêvão. Just before half time Ajax star Youri Baas was deemed to have fouled his opposite man in the box, which led to the referee pointing to the spot. Despite having an array of attacking talents to pick from, it was the 18-year-old Estêvão who stepped up to take the penalty and when he tucked the ball into the left side of the goal net he not only added another goal to his team’s tally for the night but also made history. 

Indeed, at the age of 18 years, five months and 28 days, Estêvão became Chelsea’s youngest ever goalscorer in the Champions League. The previous record had been held by none other than Reece James for the best part of five years, when the full-back scored at the age of 19 years, 10 months and 28 days. Curiously, on that date Chelsea were also playing Ajax, with James helping his side to a 4-4 draw with the Dutch giants. In third place is Callum Hudson-Odoi, who scored his first Champions League goal just a few days before his 20th birthday. Such an achievement also puts the young Brazilian star above some notable stars of the past, such as Arjen Robben and Daniel Sturridge and is just the latest example of his impressive talents. 

However, it wasn’t just an achievement for Estêvão from a Chelsea point of view - he has also firmly put his name among some greats from his home nation too. As we can see in the graphic above, the Chelsea striker’s penalty has now propelled him to second place in a truly star-studded list of Brazilian goalscorers in the European tournament. Wednesday night’s goal now means the young Chelsea talent has overtaken Real Madrid star Rodrygo as the second youngest Brazilian to ever score in the Champions League, beating his compatriot by just four months. And while the top spot may remain in the hands of Endrick - who scored for Madrid last season at the age of 18 years, one month and 27 days - there’s no doubt that Estêvão’s record is one that firmly underlines his talent and seemingly limitless potential.