Brazilian forward Estevao has suffered a major setback after a hamstring injury ruled him out for the remainder of the season, casting serious doubt over his chances of playing in the upcoming World Cup.
The 19-year old, who plays for Chelsea, sustained the injury during a recent match against Manchester United, where he was forced off early in the game. Interim coach Calum McFarlane confirmed that the young winger will not feature again this season, though no clear timeline has been provided for his recovery.
The news is a significant blow for both club and country, as Estevao had been in strong form and was widely expected to be included in Brazil’s World Cup squad. His recent performances at the international level had made him one of the team’s most promising attacking options.
With the tournament set to begin in June, the timing of the injury leaves little room for recovery, especially given that hamstring injuries can take weeks or even months to fully heal depending on severity. While there remains hope for a return, uncertainty continues to surround his fitness ahead of the competition.
Estevao, who joined Chelsea from Palmeiras, has impressed in his debut season, contributing important goals and emerging as one of football’s rising stars. His absence has also been felt at club level as Chelsea continues to deal with inconsistent performances.
The injury adds to Brazil’s growing concerns ahead of the tournament, with other key players also facing fitness issues.
As the World Cup approaches, both club and country will closely monitor Estevao’s recovery, hoping for a quicker than expected return. However, with limited time remaining, his participation now remains uncertain.