Estevao has opened up about his burgeoning friendship with Chelsea teammate Cole Palmer, revealing a funny language barrier during their first interaction after his transfer agreement.
Chelsea’s Brazilian sensation Estêvão has offered insight into his budding relationship with new teammate Cole Palmer, revealing an amusing language barrier during their initial conversation, according to a report from The Guardian and Sports Illustrated.
The 18-year-old, who has long been dubbed “Messinho,” or Little Messi, immediately paid homage to Palmer upon sealing his transfer agreement with Chelsea last summer.
Estêvão scored a goal for his former club and performed Palmer’s iconic “cold” celebration. The Brazilian reflected on this, stating:
“When I signed for Chelsea, the next day I scored a goal and celebrated like Palmer. His celebration was trend, very popular.”
Palmer responded to the tribute on social media with a ‘cold’ emoji and the message “Soon.”
Despite the social media camaraderie—where Palmer called the Brazilian a “star”—their first face-to-face chat proved difficult.
Estêvão admitted he did not understand Palmer’s Mancunian accent following a Club World Cup match.
Palmer was later quoted as saying: “I just said we look forward to seeing you – but he didn’t understand that word I said!” The Brazilian had to ask a Portuguese-speaking teammate to translate the message.
Though the language is “a little more difficult” as Palmer’s English is “very British,” the young stars are already building a connection ahead of Estêvão’s arrival at Stamford Bridge.