The race for the prestigious Golden Boy Award 2026 has a clear early front-runner: Brazilian sensation Estêvão Willian. The 18-year-old Chelsea winger, who only arrived in London this past summer, has captivated the football world with a stellar debut season that has placed him at the top of early power rankings for the award, which recognizes the best player under 21 in Europe.
Estêvão’s surge to the top is justified by a series of sensational performances. His defining moment came in the Champions League in November, where he scored a crucial goal against Barcelona following a mesmerizing solo run, leading many analysts to compare his early impact to that of generational talents like Kylian Mbappé. The Brazilian’s effortless skill and explosive pace have established him as an immediate key player for Chelsea.
The recognition is not entirely new for the former Palmeiras star, who was already shortlisted for the 2025 Golden Boy award (won by Lamine Yamal). However, his strong form including recently cementing a regular spot in the senior Brazil national team has given him a decisive edge over other top young talents like Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsí and PSG’s Warren Zaire-Emery in the early 2026 rankings.
The Estêvão Golden Boy 2026 Front-Runner status is a testament to the £52 million faith Chelsea placed in him. With the award spanning the entire calendar year, the 18-year-old star will need to maintain his high level of performance, but all signs point toward him dominating the conversation throughout the coming year.
