Abel speaks in defense of Estêvão after comments about focus on Palmeiras: "What he is feeling is natural"

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Stephano's speech about the difficulty of keeping his head focused only on Palmeiras As he approaches his farewell, his departure is being felt in the football world and the attacker has received various criticisms. On Friday, the day before the match against Botafogo, in the round of 16 of the World Cup of Clubs, head coach Abel Ferreira came to the defense of the Academy graduate.

"Sometimes it's an exercise in empathy that they have to do. If we all made a little effort and put ourselves in his shoes, at 18 years old just turned. Palmeiras takes care, protects, and helps grow. Unlike many clubs, it takes care of its players, which is why we make so many sales here. Remember Endrick? They asked him to go to the B team, but Palmeiras takes care of the younger and older players," he said.

If everyone did a small exercise in empathy, they would understand that what he is feeling is natural. And he is so pure and naive that he said what he feels. It's normal. I wouldn't change a comma of what I said: while I am with him, I will enjoy watching him play. We can't forget how much he has given us. I get sad when we don't value what is ours," he continued.

Estêvão was sold to Chelsea In June 2024 and will join the English team, which is also still alive in the World Cup, after the tournament concludes. The number 41 of Verdão started in all three games of the team in the competition. Abel was asked about maintaining the player in the starting lineup among the 11 and evaluated:

"Depending on the verticality I want to give to the game. It's a game-changer, inside or outside. Regarding performance, what happened? It was the best, I have nothing more to say. What can I say? Do you know the difference between a human being and an animal? It's our feelings and emotions that distinguish us from others. It's normal in this type of game to get more nervous, anxious. He's a kid with a dream, seeing it come true. It's true, but sometimes the truth can't be told. He's so pure and naive that he said what he felt and most of you tore him apart. That's what you do to players," he declared.

Abel Ferreira rejected the criticisms directed at Estêvão, who was elected the best player in the matches against Porto and Al Ahly, in the first two rounds of the World Club Cup. The "controversy" surrounding Estêvão's statement arose after the 2-2 draw with Inter Miami in the last round of the group stage. At the time, the young player also expressed enthusiasm about facing Messi, one of his idols in football.

"We are talking about a player who represents the Brazilian national team and we should help the Brazilian coach 'it's a spectacle to have a player like this'. And we do the opposite, the first time he doesn't perform or says what he feels, comes the other side of the coin, which is part of it and he has to be prepared for it. He needs to grow and learn to deal with it. Before it was Messi, now it's Neymar. It's not how it works. The way he is, tomorrow, whether he plays or comes on, I won't ask for more or less, but the best he can give with the resources he has," Abel stated.

"Make a summary of top players who played in Brazil and abroad, and listen to what the media says about it. It's not what Abel says. For example, look at Willian, who played for Corinthians. But I understand, that's what sells, the blood, the criticism," he concluded.