Following Brazil's 2-0 victory over Senegal in an international friendly this Saturday, national team coach Carlo Ancelotti showered praise on Estêvão, Chelsea's 18-year-old forward, during the post-match press conference.
The Palmeiras academy product scored the Seleção's opening goal and delivered a stellar performance at the Emirates Stadium, earning accolades from the Italian coach.
For Ancelotti, Brazil's "future is secured" with the talented 18-year-old.
“Matheus Cunha's position [in midfield] is very important for us. The front three are capable of creating fantastic plays. Vinícius Jr. can swap positions with Rodrygo; they're used to it. Estêvão plays wider on the right and possesses incredible talent,” Ancelotti began.
“For me, it's a surprise that someone so young has this kind of talent. He's very precise in his finishing, very impactful. With him, Brazil's future is secured,” the coach added.
Ancelotti also highlighted the player's maturity: “He's someone who doesn't show his age. Of course, he needs to improve some things, but not his talent. The important thing is that he's happy, because he can be even better in the future.”
The coach also praised the excellent understanding between Estêvão and Éder Militão, which provided depth on the right flank throughout the match.
“I think the Militão and Estêvão partnership worked very well. Militão is in spectacular physical and mental condition; I believe the two years he spent out of action have matured him greatly mentally. The team was very solid defensively,” he analyzed.
Regarding the collective performance, the Italian expressed satisfaction with the team's solidity, emphasizing that the individual quality of the forwards decided the game.
“It was a good game, with sacrifice and concentration. I liked the team, the work done. The game plan we wanted to implement defensively was achieved. We were more aggressive in the first half and controlled the second. Then, the quality of the players up front made the difference,” he observed.
This marked the first time Brazil has managed to defeat the Senegalese national team. In two previous friendly encounters, the South American side had recorded a draw (2019) and a loss (2023).
This was also Ancelotti's fourth victory in seven matches at the helm of the national team, alongside one draw and two defeats.
The Seleção will return to action next Tuesday, the 18th, to face Tunisia in Lille, France, in the final friendly of this November international window.
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