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Browsing: Exclusive
With Sanju Samson clear on leaving the Rajasthan unit, both DC and RR have been locked in negotiations and many tradable options were discussed along the way. (BCCI Photo) NEW DELHI: Sanju Samson and Tristan Stubbs are likely to be involved in the first big trade before the IPL auction later this year as both Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) are getting close to finalising the deal. With Samson clear on leaving the Royals, both DC and RR have been locked in negotiations and many tradable options were discussed along the way. It is reliably learnt that DC are keen to have Samson on board but were not willing to trade any of their core players.KL Rahul’s name came up for discussions for the swap but DC were reluctant to let go of a player who had been their key performer last season and brings a lot of brand value. RR are happy with the idea of having Stubbs in their camp but it’s understood that they asked for another uncapped player alongside the South African. That, however, wasn’t entertained by the Capitals and there is a bright possibility of seeing Samson back in DC colours from the next IPL season.
Bombay Sport Exchange | ‘The unconditional leader of Indian cricket’
In the last few months, RR have had discussions with other franchises, too, regarding Samson and TimesofIndia.com can confirm an approach was made to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for Ravindra Jadeja. RR wanted to swap Samson for Jadeja but the talks didn’t materialise after the initial interest. At this stage, Samson to DC and Stubbs to RR looks a strong possibility if there are no late hiccups from the two parties.KKR want KL Rahul but for whom?Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), meanwhile, continue to press for KL Rahul as they are desperate to have a captain and top-order bat in their ranks. The camaraderie between new head coach Abhishek Nayar and Rahul is not a secret, and even the top management of the franchise is eager to bring him on board. The big question, however, remains who goes the other way? As of now, KKR don’t seem to have a tradable asset which would excite the DC unit. There are strong murmurs of Andre Russell’s name as an option but DC want to invest in youth and players they can bank on for the next few years. The only tradable assets in the squad are Rinku Singh and Varun Chakravarthy, and it seems unlikely that they will let go of either of them.Venkatesh Iyer’s poor last season is unlikely to attract any serious takers and the all-rounder could well find himself back in the auction pool. KKR are one of the franchises which is likely to go hard for Cameron Green and releasing Iyer gives them the purse to do that. The KL Rahul situation continues to be delicately placed and if the DC-RR swap materialises, KKR could well pursue it with more intent.
WWE shared a surprise teaser for WrestleMania 42 with cryptic videos heading into RAW. The clip featured Triple H, Paul Heyman, Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, and Brock Lesnar seated at a poker table.
The poster sparked backlash among fans for many reasons. One of the key ones is that no women stars were featured on the poster. Especially at a time when the womenâ€s division has proven itself time and time again. And the other was about Brock Lesnarâ€s addition to the promotional poster.
A few hours ago, WWE shared a snippet of a behind-the-scenes clip with Cody Rhodes†section of the teaser. From this, itâ€s evident that more videos about the other stars are bound to follow suit.
🎬 Behind the scenes with @CodyRhodes
2-day combo tickets for #WrestleMania 42 on April 18 & 19 in Las @Vegas are on sale now: https://t.co/bVHRyGjVP9pic.twitter.com/4e4J0f7ydl
— WWE (@WWE) October 31, 2025
The stars featured in the poster led to speculation on mega rematches taking place at the event next year.
WWE Has Power Packed Events Stacked For The End Of 2025
This weekend, SNME XLI will emanate from Salt Lake City with the stakes high as ever. CM Punk and Jey Uso collide for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship. The tension between the two in previous weeks has reached its peak. Dominik Mysterio faces another misfortune as he has to defend his IC Title in a Triple Threat Match. Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre will battle it out for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Following this, the next Premium Live Event lined up is Survivor Series: WarGames on November 29 in California. No matches have been confirmed yet.
After that, the company is gearing up to bid farewell to John Cena on December 13. The Cenation Leader will compete in his last match at Saturday Nightâ€s Main Event in Washington. His opponent remains unannounced. Cena has three dates left on RAW before his final match.
The last time is now. Don’t miss out.
ðŸŽŸï¸ Tickets for @JohnCena‘s final match are on sale NOW: https://t.co/Lm4vzpwoUopic.twitter.com/Jp99lLkmFv
— WWE (@WWE) October 17, 2025
When WWE wraps that up for 2025, January will kick off Royal Rumble season heading into WrestleMania 42.
Shreyas Iyer (Photo by Ayush Kumar/Getty Images) Mumbai: Much to the relief of millions of Indian cricket fans, Shreyas Iyer is on the road to recovery. In fact, on Tuesday, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told TOI that the India batter Shreyas Iyer “recovered faster than what the doctor expected.†Iyer, who suffered a spleen injury while taking a catch during the third and final ODI against Australia at the SCG last week, is stable and out of the ICU. While diving forward to complete the catch on the run, he suffered an awkward fall that resulted in a ruptured spleen and necessitated immediate hospitalisation. “Shreyas is much, much, much better. His recovery has been much faster than what the doctor expected. Iâ€m in regular touch with Dr Rizwan (Khan, Indian team doctor who stayed back with Iyer to assist with his treatment at the Sydney hospital). Normally, he should take six to eight weeks (to recover completely), but you can expect a surprise from him because he may recover much earlier,†Saikia told TOI.
Suryakumar Yadav press conference: On Shreyas Iyer’s injury, his own form and Australia series
“The doctors are very satisfied with his progress. He has started his normal functioning (routine chores). His injury was very severe, but he has recovered and is out of danger, which is why he was shifted from the ICU to his room in the hospital yesterday,†the Board secretary added. Saikia said that Iyer didnâ€t undergo surgery but “a different procedure.†“Shreyas didnâ€t undergo a surgery but underwent a different procedure, which is why he recovered so early,†Saikia revealed. The “different procedure,†it is understood, was needed to immediately stop the internal bleeding. “The usual hospital stay for this injury is 7–10 days. So, Iyer is likely to be in the hospital for that long,†a source tracking developments told this paper. The BCCI is arranging for Shreyas†sister, Shresta Iyer, to fly to Sydney to join and help him out there soon. “The BCCI has done its best to help Shreyas out. The BCCIâ€s doctor (Rizwan) is totally focused on Iyerâ€s treatment and recovery there. Shreyas has been put up in the best hospital in Sydney (St Vincentâ€s Hospital),†Saikia said. It is learnt that on Tuesday, Iyer was in fine shape, eating solid food, walking in the Sydney hospital without support, and taking phone calls. Providing an update on his condition, Indiaâ€s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, speaking to reporters ahead of the first T20I against Australia, said, “We spoke to him at least on the first day when we got to know that he had an injury. I called him first. Then I found out that he did not have a phone. So I called the physio, Kamlesh. He told me that he is stable. On the first day, I donâ€t know how, but he was looking good. We have been talking for two days now. He has been replying. If he is replying on the phone, it means he is stable. “There is also a doctor there, so it is looking good. I mean, he is good. He is talking. Everything is normal. He said that he will take care of himself for a few more days. But he has been replying, talking to everyone, so it is good,†the India T20 skipper, currently in Canberra, said. In Mumbai, Mumbai captain and India all-rounder Shardul Thakur also revealed to the media that he “spoke to Shreyas.†“He was stable,†said the pacer.Pratika Rawal to be out of action for four months Meanwhile, the BCCI secretary revealed that India womenâ€s team opener Pratika Rawal, who picked up a knee injury while trying to save a boundary, will be “out of action for four to six months.†“Pratika will be out of action for four months. The womenâ€s selection committee has named Shafali Verma as her replacement,†Saikia informed.The injury to Rawal came just three days before Indiaâ€s crucial World Cup semifinal clash against Australia. The 25-year-old Delhi batter had scored a fine century against New Zealand and was Indiaâ€s second-highest run-getter in the tournament, behind her senior opening partner Smriti Mandhana. She has been replaced by 21-year-old Shafali Verma.
Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney is presented with a novelty World Cup ticket by FIFA President Gianni Infantino (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP) FIFA officially launched the second phase of ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup on Monday, putting another 1 million tickets up for grabs. This new phase marks the opening of a global ticket draw, which will run until 11 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday. A key feature of this round is the domestic exclusivity window for residents of the three host nations — the United States, Canada, and Mexico. During this period, local fans whose entries are selected in the draw will have the first chance to buy single-match tickets for games held in their respective countries. According to Heimo Schirgi, FIFAâ€s Chief Operating Officer for the tournament, interest in tickets has already been “massive†both globally and within the host nations. “This second phase, with its host country domestic exclusivity time slot, will allow us to say thank you to these local fans, while ensuring global opportunity as well,†Schirgi said. Fans from the three host nations can enter the draw until Friday. Winners will be randomly selected and granted a specific time slot between November 12 and 15 to make their ticket purchases. Notifications will be sent out at least 48 hours in advance. So far, residents of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico have led ticket purchases, followed by fans from England, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Colombia, Argentina, and France. After the domestic phase ends, more slots will open globally from November 17, with further sales rounds to follow. Over 1 million tickets have already been sold, with fans from 212 countries purchasing seats. Twenty-eight of the 48 teams have qualified so far. Despite the buzz, logistical questions remain, especially around visa requirements for international visitors amid stricter U.S. immigration rules. Earlier this month, an Argentina friendly featuring Lionel Messi had to be shifted from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale due to slow ticket sales, which some linked to visa concerns. The 2026 World Cup, set across 16 venues in North America, will feature 104 matches and an estimated 7.1 million available seats. While FIFA hasnâ€t disclosed how many will be released to the public, base ticket prices started at $60 for select games, with premium seats — such as those for the U.S. opening match in Inglewood — priced between $560 and $2,735. In a first for the World Cup, FIFA will use dynamic pricing, meaning ticket costs could rise or fall based on demand — a move that might push prices even higher on resale markets, where some listings have already crossed $60,000.
Magnus Carlsen vs D Gukesh (Norway Chess Photo) NEW DELHI: The chess world has recently undergone a mix of surprise and confusion after last weekâ€s announcement of the new “Total Chess World Championship”, a concept developed by Norway Chess and officially approved by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).From Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathiâ€s witty explainer video to fans debating whether the sport really needs another “world titleâ€, the buzz around this unexpected development is undeniable.However, what makes this move remarkable is its timing. Barely months ago, FIDE had been locked in a public feud with the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, the independent tour launched by Magnus Carlsen and German entrepreneur Jan Henric Buettner.That clash began in late 2023 when Freestyle organisers tried to call their champion the “Freestyle Chess World Championâ€. FIDE objected immediately, insisting it alone held the right to sanction any world championship title in chess.The disagreement soon became one of the most talked-about controversies in modern chess.
What Will Happen to Iconic Norway Chess Tournament After Total Chess?
Players feared being barred from official FIDE events, open letters flew between organisers and officials, and Carlsen even published private messages accusing FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich of breaking promises.The issue finally cooled in February 2025 when Freestyle agreed to drop the “World Championship†label, with TimesofIndia.com revealing how, in a private Weissenhaus meeting, top-rated Freestyle Chess players unanimously decided the 2025 Grand Slam winner would be crowned “Freestyle Chess Champion”.Now, just months later, FIDE appears to have taken a more flexible approach, formally allowing Norway Chess to use the title “World Championship†for its “Total Chess†project.“We wanted to create something completely new with a tour system, and we wondered if it’s possible to get the World Championship title. It would be perfect,†Kjell Madland, founder, CEO and tournament director of Norway Chess told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interaction.“So, I had a meeting with Arkady (FIDE President) about 14 months ago to explain our ideas. Over the following months, we had very good discussions on how to make this work together. I told him that this is the Norway Chess project, but we want FIDE on board because we want the title and also to collaborate on rules and other details.â€The negotiations were not without challenges as Madland, who is also the tournament director of Norway Chess, revealed, “Of course, there are always challenges, but if you are respectful to the people youâ€re discussing with and listen carefully while communicating well, both parties will work to solve the issues.â€Behind the scenes, Norway Chessâ€s credibility also helped.”We were no strangers to FIDE when we first approached them,” Norway Chess COO Benedicte Westre Skog said. “Weâ€ve been in the chess world for quite some years now, and people know us. We have also proven that we’re capable of delivering.”Perhaps the most interesting detail is how secretive the process was.According to Madland, even the top players, including Carlsen and current World Champion D Gukesh, were kept completely in the dark until after the deal was signed. “Before the deal was signed, we didn’t talk to anyone. No players at all, not Magnus or other players. So he didnâ€t know anything about this,†Madland revealed. The decision to keep things under wraps was deliberate as the organisers wanted to avoid speculation or leaks before FIDEâ€s approval. As per our understanding, Norway Chess and FIDE officially signed the agreement on the “World Championship” on October 7, and it was made public later on October 15.“Since the agreement, weâ€ve spoken with some players to get their feedback on the regulations, including Magnus, Gukesh, and a few others. But before the deal, no players knew anything about this,†added the tournament director.The “Total Chess†concept itself differs from Freestyleâ€s approach. While Freestyle Chess is based on the Fischer Random format and is unrated by FIDE, Norway Chess top bosses wanted to stick to rated forms of chess: classical, rapid, and blitz.That distinction may have been what allowed FIDE to lend its approval this time.
Poll
Do you think the new Total Chess World Championship is needed in the chess community?
By staying within the rated framework and maintaining a close contact, Norway Chess, already a proven innovator in the chess world with inventions like Armageddon, the Confession Booth, and more over the years, managed to avoid the jurisdictional clash that sank Freestyleâ€s attempt.FIDE, in turn, supported them without appearing to lose control over the “World Championship†title.But why grant one independent organiser the use of the “World Championship†tag while denying another? The difference, it is understood, lies in how the two sides approached the federation.With Carlsen only playing the classical format in Norway Chess, thereâ€s a sense that the introduction of this new multi-format championship, combining faster classical, rapid, and blitz, could see the world No. 1 competing for the new title, attracting more attention, sponsorship, and money.Whether it succeeds in unifying formats and bringing all elites of the game under one roof remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Norway Chess has managed what even the Freestyle tour could not.
Chris Jericho is bringing back his Rock ‘N†Wrestling Rager at Sea for its seventh voyage, and this time itâ€s being called “The Seventh Cruise of a Seventh Cruise.
The wrestling-themed getaway will sail November 7–11, 2026, aboard the Norwegian Jewel, departing from Miami and heading straight to Bimahi, Bahamas. The five-day trip will mix live pro wrestling action with a full-on vacation experience. Fans can look forward to wrestling matches, live music performances from Jerichoâ€s band FOZZY and other acts, comedy shows, podcasts, and meet-and-greets with wrestling legends.
“This isnâ€t just a getaway, itâ€s a non-stop, high-octane, body-slam of an experience where paradise meets piledrivers,†the official announcement read.
Presale bookings come with serious exclusives. Every cabin booked during presale will get a photo op with Jericho, while the first 600 cabins secure exclusive Chris Jericho trading cards. The first 800 cabins will also snag a custom slap bracelet designed by Pro Wrestling Tees.
“Once the bell rings and these spots are gone… theyâ€re GONE! No rematches, no do-overs,†organizers warned, driving home just how limited the perks are.
Fans can register now for presale access or reach out to guest services for booking help. With wrestling, music, comedy, and a Bahamas backdrop, Jerichoâ€s latest cruise is already shaping up to be one of the most unique wrestling events of 2026.
Would you jump onboard Chris Jerichoâ€s Rock ‘N†Wrestling Rager at Sea for the seventh voyage, or is this type of wrestling vacation not your style? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Forget the National Golf Links of America and Shinnecock and Maidstone. Forget Garden City and Piping Rock and The Creek Club. And please, save yourself the seasickness on your ferry over to Fishers Island.
As it turns out, you don’t have to be a blue blood to be Long Island’s most exclusive tee time. So long as you’re alright playing on somebody’s front lawn.
Three Ponds Farm is not just somebody’s front lawn, it’s Ivan Kaufman’s front lawn. Today, after a $35 million purchase in 2019, the Long Island real estate scion is the owner and primary beneficiary of “The K-Club at Three Ponds Farm” in Bridgehampton, N.Y. — a 58-acre plot of rolling farmland that has been transformed into one of the wildest 18-hole golf courses anywhere in the world.
Fifty-eight acres is not much to build a golf course upon, particularly when some of those acres have already been dedicated to the property’s living quarters, sun room, ornate driveway, swimming pool, guest cottage and pair of museum-quality gardens. As such, the golf at Three Ponds Farm is as space-efficient as a studio apartment in the West Village. No inch of the property is wasted, with bunkers shaped to frame from every angle and enormous putting greens swiss-cheesed by slopes and shelves for maximum variety.
The origin story of Three Ponds Farm is not unlike that of many other great golf courses. A sandy plot of farmland in a gorgeous corner of the world. An interested investor (Edward Gordon) making a bargain purchase (original sale price: less than $1 million!). A bold idea — to build a world-class golf course — and a course designer (Rees Jones) with a flash of creative brilliance and a distaste for waste.
Eventually, a golf course was built, and Ryan Loudenslager, the caretaker at another one of Jones’s courses, Bethpage Black, was hired as the full-time super. Over time, ownership changed, nine holes became 18, and Three Ponds Farm became “The K-Club.”
“It’s pretty charming, right?” Jones says with a grin. “And not small, either.”
Today, The K-Club at Three Ponds Farm is indeed much larger than life. Some golf experiences are quietly memorable, but how many are memorably quiet? On a busy day, Three Ponds Farm might have 15 players. On a quiet day, like a Tuesday in September after the high season? Well, you just might be the only golfer of any kind. (And, to answer the lingering follow-up: Yes, is still common courtesy to fill divots and repair ball marks, even on a course with no other players.)
Play on the course occurs at the owner’s behest, but thankfully, he’s a bit of a golf nut. At Kaufman’s prompting, the scale of Three Ponds Farm has doubled, from a nine-hole loop best played twice into an 18-hole story with several distinct acts. Loudenslager, who went from 35,000 rounds per year at Bethpage to “about 500” at the K-Club, keeps the property lush, bouncy and fast. But he and Kaufman aren’t done there: New tee boxes pop up around the property every spring, introducing new hole options and routing selections.
The result is five multi-flag greens and a dozen fairways that golfers crisscross in every direction, making the holes feel at once exotic and familiar. A considerable reason for the affect is the routing, which is not chronological so much as it is orbital, circulating the property surrounding Kaufman’s mission revival-style mansion like well-manicured planets around an elegant sun.
On several holes, the preferred line and landing area is “the barn” — technically the property’s “guest cottage” — which once served as storage for the dairy farm that existed on property before the golf course. The barn sits nestled in a valley between two greens, plopped in the center of a green carpet of fairway that spreads more than 100 yards wide. It’s the kind of use-what-you’re-given quirk that one might expect to see in golf’s ancestral homeland of Scotland, and its role in the golf is responsible for three of the best holes on the property.
On the whole, the experience is proudly one of one — and not just for the Fiji waters and high-speed golf carts. On an afternoon at Three Ponds, it is not hard to find yourself daydreaming. How many holes could you play in a day? How quickly could you play them? Is the best manner of playing a solo 36? Or is it a four-ball match, or a six-ball … or a 10-ball?
The answer, to these and every other question, is yes. That’s the beauty of golf at The K-Club: The extent of your stimulation is equal to the extent of your imagination.
“This place is like the Disneyland of golf,” says Loudenslager, and of course he’s right. But he’s also wrong.
At Disneyland, wonder is a business. Here it is passion project — and passion is in noshortage.
On a sweltering summer night at the Mineirao in Belo Horizonte, the date of December 6, 2023, became etched into Palmeiras’ history.
The Verdao sealed back-to-back Brazilian league titles in the most dramatic fashion you could ever imagine, clawing back a seemingly insurmountable 14-point deficit to overhaul Botafogo in a title race that will live long in the memory.
It was a night of triumph, of legacy, and perhaps, of prophecy. Palmeiras – the Sao Paulo giants once created by Italian working-class immigrants, who moved to Brazil in the early 20th century – stretched their record haul to 12 national titles, four more than their nearest rivals Santos.
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A last dance for Palmeiras against Porto… (Image credit: Unknown)
But that night wasn’t just about silverware. It was the coming of age of Endrick.
Still just 17, the Real Madrid-bound phenom delivered 11 goals in 31 appearances, including the hugely important opener of the 1-1 draw at Cruzeiro on that evening in Belo Horizonte to seal the crown. The spotlight, rightly, belonged to him.
But while Endrick basked in the glow of destiny fulfilled, a new wonderkid quietly stepped onto the stage.
Six months later, the left-footed right winger was sold to Chelsea in a deal that could become the most expensive transfer ever completed by a Brazilian club: £38m up front, potentially rising to £52m with add-ons.
He’d have to wait a year before joining his new club, until he’d turned 18 – this summer’s Club World Cup in the United States was his last dance for Palmeiras.
Now, Stamford Bridge is the home of Brazil’s most electrifying export since Neymar lit up the late 2000s – yes, more electrifying in the Brasilerao than both Endrick and Vinicius Junior.
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Estevao was a kid who fell in love with the game at four, nutmegged people in church aisles for fun, and shunned the tag of ‘Messinho’ to carve out his own identity. Today he’s Chelsea’s new star, and ready to tell FourFourTwo his story.
Estevao: “Long before I accepted Chelsea’s offer, I told my parents I wanted to learn English”
Estevao Willian of Palmeiras runs with the ball at the Club World Cup (Image credit: Action Plus/Shutterstock)
It doesn’t take long for Estevao to reveal the driven, grounded ambition that those closest to him always mention. When FFT chats to him in Portuguese and asks about his English language skills, his response is cool-headed and clear. His maturity belies his age.
“Long before I accepted Chelsea’s offer, I told my parents I wanted to learn English,” he says. “Even though I didn’t know I’d end up in England, I knew it was a skill I’d need in the future.” He started learning 18 months ago. As 2025 kicked in, so did the urgency – lessons every weekday, between games and training. “Sometimes, it’s been hard to fit them in with the schedule,” he admits. “I prefer face to face, but I’ve done them online if I’ve had to.”
“I want to settle quickly,” he adds, without hesitation. “It’s a dream come true to play in the biggest competitions, the Premier League and the Champions League. The 2026 World Cup is a goal too, but first, I have to prove myself at Chelsea.”
I want to see everything. I’m into football heritage. England lives and breathes it, I want to soak all of it in
Estevao
In September 2024, just nine months after his pro debut with Palmeiras, Estevao became the fifth youngest player ever to pull on a shirt for Brazil’s senior team, coming off the bench in a 1-0 victory over Ecuador during World Cup qualifying.
Only Pele, Edu, Coutinho – both were team-mates of the King himself – and Endrick did it earlier. Not bad company to keep. But Estevao already had his eyes set on another new environment.
“I want to see everything,” he says. “I’m into football heritage. England lives and breathes it, I want to soak all of it in.” He was getting top-tier advice, even before touching down at Heathrow. Who better to big up Chelsea than a fellow Brazilian and Stamford Bridge legend – the last man from his country to lift the Champions League for the club?
Estevao celebrates his first Premier League goal (Image credit: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
“I had a chat with Thiago Silva after we played Fluminense at home in our final Brasileirao match,” Estevao says. “He only had great things to say about the club, the people and the whole experience. He said that it will be incredible for me.” That match ended in a 1-0 defeat, confirming Palmeiras as runners-up – six points behind champions Botafogo, who, for once, didn’t bottle the league title.
Estevao didn’t match Endrick’s heroics in a title race, but he did knock a certain Neymar off his perch. With 13 goals and nine assists, he set a new benchmark of the most goal contributions posted by a 17-year-old in the Brasileirao, beating the Santos starlet’s tally of 10 goals and six assists in 2009.
He didn’t leave empty-handed either. While the main trophy slipped away, the individual honours came flooding in. He was named best newcomer by the Brazilian FA, also doing the double at the prestigious Bola de Prata awards, scooping the same accolade, plus the big one: the Bola de Ouro for best player in the league. Not bad for your first full season in the top flight.
It wasn’t just Estevao counting down the days until his big move to London. At Cobham, Reece James and Cole Palmer rolled out the virtual welcome mat, reaching out to let the youngster know he has a home waiting for him. It was more than just DMs, too – the bond with Palmer is already taking shape. Days after signing for Chelsea, Estevao fired home in a 3-1 win over Juventude… and celebrated by busting out Palmer’s trademark “cold” pose. A fitting way to launch a bromance.
“After I signed for Chelsea, that celebration came to mind,” the young Brazilian says. “Then Palmer saw that and messaged me, saying he couldn’t wait for us to play together. It was in British English – a bit tricky for me – so I had to get some help from the translator app! I’m not going to lie, I used it to message him back, too!”
Palmer followed up later, checking whether Estevao would visit the club before finally linking up with the squad this summer. “I didn’t get the chance,” he says. “But it meant a lot. You could tell they were excited I was coming and they were already waiting for me.”
As it turned out, Estevao’s last game for Palmeiras would be against Chelsea, in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup – his side lost 2-1, but the winger scored and was man of the match.
The world is only just waking up to Estevao
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JUNE 15: Estêvão of SE Palmeiras (2nd L) and Iván Marcano of FC Porto (R) fight for possession during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group A match between SE Palmeiras and FC Porto at MetLife Stadium on June 15, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Richard Callis/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images) (Image credit: Getty Images)
Estevao might stand at just 5ft 7in with a lean frame, but his game packs serious punch. He’s a wizard with the ball at his feet, effortlessly dancing past defenders and whipping in thunderous strikes from just about anywhere he fancies. Whether it’s curling one from the edge of the box or letting fly from long range, his left foot is something else. The Premier League is known for its muscle, but Estevao isn’t fazed.
“Of course, I know I’ll need to build a stronger, more intense physical presence at some point, but I’m not overly worried about it,” he says.
“There will be a thorough process to achieve that, but I know what I bring to the pitch, my qualities, my ability to influence a game. Strength isn’t always the deciding factor. I really believe in my potential.”
This kid is different from everything I have ever seen.
Abel Ferreira
Why would he doubt himself? Dozens of clubs had their eyes on him from the start, barely able to believe what this skinny kid was doing on the pitch. Estevao’s talent turned heads long before he turned pro. Now it’s just the rest of the world catching up.
Abel Ferreira is the architect behind Palmeiras’ golden era. The Portuguese coach – frequently compared to Jose Mourinho, not just for his passport, but for his love of a press-conference narrative – has racked up 10 trophies in five years.
That’s practically a dynasty by Brazilian standards, where managers are lucky to last more than six months. Ferreira’s extensive haul has included back-to-back league titles, consecutive Copa Libertadores crowns and glory in the Copa do Brasil.
Estevao crosses the ball whilst under pressure from Piero Hincapie of Ecuador (Image credit: Getty Images)
In May 2024, Ferreira paused for a moment – the kind of pause that usually signals a coach holding back praise to keep a young talent grounded. But Estevao had just stolen the show again, bagging a late winner in a cup clash against Botafogo-SP, lighting up the pitch with another dazzling display. His manager couldn’t hold it in.
“This kid is different from everything I have ever seen,” Ferreira said. “He attacks, he defends and he’s never afraid to take responsibility.”
The young star’s fearless playing style is nothing short of mesmerising. He’ll lose the ball or drag a shot wide, but moments later, he’s demanding the ball back again, trying something new, taking another risk. It’s not just that he isn’t afraid to make mistakes. It’s as if mistakes don’t register at all.
I ended up being better than the other boys. Some parents didn’t take too kindly to that!
Estevao
“That comes from my dad,” Estevao says now. “He’s always told me, ‘Never stop being yourself’. If I make a mistake during play, I don’t have time to dwell on it. You’ve only got seconds to react, because at any moment, the ball could be at your feet again and you’ve got to be ready to do something with it.”
“My dad has always hammered that idea into me – it’s just about staying switched on and trusting your instincts. If there’s space to take a man on, I’ll take him on. If the better option is to pass, I’ll pass. I’ll do what I know and what I’ve been trained to do. I know what I’m capable of. I know what I’ve got inside me. That’s why mistakes don’t get to me. I trust in what I believe, and I’ll keep trying until it comes off.”
Born in Franca, a city some 250 miles inland from Sao Paulo, better known for basketball and shoe factories than footballing prodigies, Estevao grew up in a deeply religious household. His father, Ivo Goncalves, is an evangelical pastor. Faith still plays a central role in his life, since he often reads the Bible in the dressing room before matches and celebrates wins by posting scripture passages on Instagram.
Estevao looks on prior to during the Club World Cup games against Al Ahly (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)
It was Ivo, a former goalkeeper, who introduced him to the game, taking his football-obsessed son along to varzea matches, the grassroots games that dot Brazil’s amateur scene.
From then on, Estevao rarely went anywhere without a ball at his feet – not even to his dad’s church. “I would imagine that I was playing in a stadium,” he says. “I’d dribble past whatever was in front of me. I used bottles as goalposts, smashed shots off the walls – I even broke a clock! That kind of childhood imagination is incredible.”
Estevao took his first steps in the game at a football school in Franca called Tok de Bola. It didn’t take long for the youngster to become a sensation. Soon, crowds were showing up not just to watch their own kids, but to see him. His talent was so far beyond his years that he regularly played and dominated matches against older boys.
His impact in local tournaments sparked complaints from rival parents, who claimed Tok de Bola were cheating by fielding Estevao. To keep the peace, coaches often played him in the first half, where he’d usually run riot, before subbing him off to level the playing field.
A Nike athlete at 10 years old
Estevao poses for a photo during the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2023 (Image credit: Getty Images)
“I loved scoring goals! That’s what made me happiest as a kid,” he says. “Whether I liked it or not, I ended up being better than the other boys. Even I could see the difference. Some of the parents didn’t take too kindly to that!”
Word of the young prodigy soon spread. Scouts from several Sao Paulo clubs made the trip to see what all the fuss was about, but it was Cruzeiro who moved fastest. At just eight years old, Estevao was off to Belo Horizonte. Within two years, he was a Nike athlete and one of the most talked-about academy prospects in Brazil.
Nike came calling in 2016, after Estevao lit up the Go Cup, one of the country’s most prestigious youth tournaments, while playing for Cruzeiro. Estevao introduced himself to a national audience in spectacular fashion.
In my head, I just thought I’d be getting free boots every month. I had no idea how big Nike was globally.
Estevao
“I only knew about Nike because of Neymar,” Estevao says. “He was my idol growing up, and he wore Nike boots when he played for Santos. But I was too young to really understand what signing with Nike actually meant. In my head, I just thought I’d be getting free boots every month. I had no idea how big the brand was globally. When they told me I’d be wearing the same boots as Neymar, I was over the moon.”
If the teenage sensation once idolised Neymar, his sweet left foot and the No.10 shirt at Cruzeiro quickly earned him a nickname inspired by a rival legend: Messinho, ‘Little Messi’. Estevao was never a fan of the comparison though and worked hard to shed it.
“I don’t remember who came up with it, but it just caught on straight away,” he says. “Neither I nor my family ever liked it much. Sometimes a nickname like that becomes a burden you didn’t ask for. You just want to play football, to do what you love – but that kind of label adds a pressure that’s not yours. Thankfully, I was able to leave it behind when I moved to Palmeiras.”
Palmeiras had tracked Estevao since his early days tormenting defenders – and opposition parents – in Franca, but they couldn’t match Cruzeiro’s offer.
He and his dad were invited to pay a visit to the club, but they decided to sign for the Belo Horizonte giants instead. Still, academy chief Joao Paulo Sampaio stayed in touch with his father, keeping the door firmly open. Years later, when Cruzeiro collapsed into chaos, drowning in debt and scandal, the family, left without support, walked away.
Sampaio was ready and waiting. In his decade at the helm of Palmeiras’ academy, the club have gone from producing little of note to becoming arguably the most prolific talent factory in the Americas. Once lagging behind their domestic rivals, Palmeiras now lead the pack, and the numbers speak for themselves.
Gabriel Jesus moved to Manchester City for £27m, followed by Endrick’s switch to Real Madrid for an initial £30m, with the potential to pass £50m with add-ons. Then came Danilo to Nottingham Forest for £16m, Luis Guilherme to West Ham for £25m and Estevao to Chelsea for up to £52m. In the winter, Vitor Reis joined Manchester City for £29.6m, a new record price for a centre-back from a Brazilian club.
Estevao celebrates scoring the opening goal during the FIFA U-17 World Cup against Ecuador (Image credit: Getty Images)
If there’s anyone qualified to break down Estevao’s game, it’s Sampaio, the man behind Palmeiras’ golden generation and one of Brazil’s sharpest eyes for youth talent. “He’s got pure Brazilian DNA,” Sampaio says. “Flair, dribbling, joy, that spark of magic. His first touch doesn’t just control the ball, it takes the defender out of the picture. But there’s real end product too. He’s not just about putting on a show, his numbers are always there. With that kind of talent, he was already playing for our under-20s at just 15.
“At Palmeiras, we teach our players to master three positions. Estevao can play off the right, the left or as a No.10. One of his standout performances came in the Under-17 Brasileirao final against Sao Paulo. He played as a No.10 and scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 win, just a couple of months before making his professional debut. Sooner or later, players like Estevao force their way into any team. I’ve no doubt Chelsea fans will fall for him, and it won’t take long.”
From the church aisles of Franca to the roar of Stamford Bridge, England is now home to a wonderkid who might define a generation. With the swagger of a street baller and the stats to silence cynics, he’s got everything to light up the Premier League. The relief for Enzo Maresca? At least this time, he won’t have to sub him off at half-time to stop the other parents complaining.
Manchester United host Sunderland tomorrow, sitting 14th in the Premier League table after a continuation of their bad form under Ruben Amorim.
The Red Devils slid to 15th last season after Amorim’s appointment – the club’s lowest finish since their return to the top flight 50 years earlier.
Last weekend they lost 3-1 at Brentford, to leave them on only seven points from their first six games of this season, once again increasing the scrutiny on Amorim.
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Paul Scholes gives his thoughts on Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim (Image credit: Getty Images)
Paul Scholes won an incredible 11 Premier League titles during his time at Manchester United, and still deeply cares about the club with which he spent his entire playing career.
FourFourTwo met up with the midfield legend as we visited a recording of his new podcast The Good, The Bad & The Football with his Class of 92 team-mate Nicky Butt and presenter Paddy McGuinness, and asked him to predict where Manchester United might finish this season.
Paul Scholes
“I’d take top 10 now,” Scholes said. “It’s not been a great start. They can’t seem to put two wins together. Potentially they could do better, but at this point it’s looking unlikely.”
Asked to choose which summer signing he was most excited about, he said: “Bryan Mbeumo. Obviously, he had Premier League experience at Brentford, he looks a really exciting player and a type of player who should get United fans off the edge of their seats.”
Which player from his great Manchester United team would be the first he’d put into the current team? “I’d go for Ryan Giggs,” he said.
“I think Man United at this moment in time are lacking a bit of entertainment. Ryan Giggs lifted people, lifted the crowd and lifted the players around him.”
Amorim under scrutiny
Ruben Amorim (Image credit: George Wood/Getty Images)
Scholes was also asked his views on Amorim’s current predicament, with the pressure ever increasingly on the Portuguese boss after last weekend’s defeat at Brentford.
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“You talk about managers being sacked, and none of us like doing that,” Scholes stressed.
“But if he’d have been sacked on Sunday, I think we’d have all been saying ‘Yeah f***ing hell it’s about time, there’s no surprise to it’.
Paul Scholes
“I think he did have an excuse last year. He couldn’t train – well, he could train, but every three days they had a game. He’s had everything now, they’ve spent £200m and he’s got three weeks in between games to do everything he wants to do and get his style across.
“There’s just no sign of it getting any better, is there? Look, you’d like him to do well but he’s got to win games of football and he’s not winning enough games of football to warrant doing the job at the minute.”
The Good, The Bad & The Football with Scholes, Butt and McGuinness is a brand-new weekly video podcast, available on all major podcast platforms and YouTube. There will be an in-depth chat with the trio about football and their careers in an upcoming issue of FourFourTwo magazine.
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