Chelsea-bound Estevao Willian said he has a "void in my chest" after Palmeiras' title failure, despite scooping two top Brazilian Serie A awards.
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Estevao scored 13 goals to emerge as the third top-scorerWon Breakthrough Player and Best Striker awardsWill move to Chelsea in the summer of 2025Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The 17-year-old prodigy capped an exceptional debut season with Palmeiras’ senior team, netting 13 goals and providing nine assists in 31 league appearances. His tally made him the third-highest scorer in the Brazilian Serie A, showcasing his promise as one of the brightest talents in Brazilian football.
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Estevao's efforts were recognised and he earned two accolades including the Breakthrough Player and Best Striker of the 2024 Brazilian Serie A season. However, he was still left disappointed as Palmeiras narrowly missed out on defending their league title. The team suffered a surprising 1-0 home defeat to Fluminense on the final day of the season, leaving them as runners-up to Botafogo, who went on to clinch their first league title since 1995 with a 2-1 victory over Sao Paulo, finishing four points clear at the top of the table.
WHAT ESTEVAO SAID
"There is a void in my chest, the most important thing was the title," Estevao told reporters after the game. "We failed at a time when we couldn't… We lacked efficiency. We couldn't come away with the victory, we gave our all."
DID YOU KNOW?
Although disappointed with the team's performance, Estevao remained optimistic about his growth and achievements this season. “At 17 years old, I am experiencing something unforgettable,” he said. “Getting more and more mature, I'm grateful."