Estevao World Cup hopes in doubt: Scans reveal extent of serious hamstring injury that left Brazil and Chelsea wonderkid in tears
Estevao’s World Cup dream appears to be over after scans confirmed he suffered a serious hamstring injury in action for Chelsea.
The 18-year-old is one of his country’s brightest hopes but left the pitch in tears at Stamford Bridge during Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat by Man United at the weekend.
Estevao has sustained a grade four hamstring injury, meaning he is highly unlikely to go to the World Cup this summer.
The injury occurred in the 16th minute of the game and left Estevao devastated, with manager Liam Rosenior later revealing his young star was still in tears in the dressing room at half-time.
Estevao underwent a scan on the problem on Monday afternoon and is now set for a lengthy spell out of action. Grade four hamstring injuries typically rule a player out for between three and six months.
Carlo Ancelotti was widely expected to pick the teen sensation for his Brazil squad heading to the US this summer but will now have to rethink his plans.
Estevao suffered a hamstring injury against Man United while in action for Chelsea
Estevao’s international career has started superbly and he’s netted four times in his last four appearances for the Selecao.
Ancelotti will be cursing his luck and is set to announce his final squad for the World Cup on May 18.
Davide Ancelotti, the manager’s son and Brazil assistant even namechecked Estevao in an interview with the BBC, saying: ‘We have a lot of attacking players. We have a lot of talent and a lot of different profiles. And if I have to give you a name, Estevao is one of the rising talents of Brazil.’
If Estevao does indeed miss out, it could open the door for Neymar, the country’s top scorer, who was left out of the squad for Brazil’s previous friendlies.
After the 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge, Rosenior alluded to the serious nature of the issue for Estevao.
He said: ‘‘He was devastated. He was crying at half-time. I’m really devastated for him.
‘It looks like it’s his hamstring, and that’s a moment actually when he’s running through on their goal for a one-versus-one and pulls his hamstring in that moment. I hope Estevao comes back sooner rather than later.’
Estevao’s debut season for the Blues has shown clear signs of his enormous talent.
The youngster was in tears after sustaining the cruel blow that could end his World Cup hopes
He’s scored eight times and delivered four assists for the Blues, with three of those strikes coming in the Champions League.
Having signed for £29million from Palmeiras in his homeland, Estevao was eased into the side under Enzo Maresca and had also performed well under Liam Rosenior.
The Chelsea manager’s future is currently under massive scrutiny after he presided over a fifth successive Premier League defeat on Tuesday with the 3-0 loss at Brighton.
