Maresca cautions against Messi comparisons after Estevaos stunning strike

Enzo Maresca downplayed links between Estevao and Lionel Messi on Tuesday following the young Chelsea talents brilliant individual effort in the Champions League during a convincing 3-0 victory over Barcelona.

The 18 year old Brazilian outshone teenage sensation Lamine Yamal as the London side secured their third win in five league phase matches.

Estevaos highlight arrived ten minutes post interval as he picked up possession wide right, evaded two opponents, and rifled a shot into the top corner past Joan Garcia.

This marked the wingers tenth goal across club and international duty, early in his debut season at Stamford Bridge.

Chelseas additional scores came via an own goal by Barcelona defender Jules Kounde and a finish from replacement Liam Delap.

The visitors dropped to ten players near the end of the second period after skipper Ronald Araujo received a second booking.

When quizzed if Estevaos finish evoked memories of Argentinas icon Messi, Chelsea manager Maresca instead likened it to a similar effort the player netted for former team Palmeiras against Chelsea in the July Club World Cup.

Maresca aimed to lighten the load on his emerging star, who is quickly gaining supporter adoration, advising him to stay calm and savour the game.

Him, Lamine, they are so young, at 18, that if you start to talk about Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, I think its too much pressure for young boys like them.

Eighteen, they need to enjoy, they need to arrive at the training ground, happy. But when you start to compare them with Messi or with Ronaldo, I think its too much for them.

Estevao, cheered by Chelseas crowd on Tuesday, described it as the peak of his career thus far.

I dont really have any words to sum up how Im feeling right now, he shared with Amazon Prime. It really was the perfect night. Im just grateful to God for everything that has happened for me.

From the moment I arrived here, I felt such a connection with the fans, he continued.

Im just so happy that I could score for them and make them happy. I hope to keep making them happy and score more goals for them.

Maresca indicated no extra push to feature Estevao despite his impressive displays.

Tonight we decided, probably in the most difficult game of the season, we decided to play with Estevao, he stated.

So Im not a manager that I dont allow players to play minutes. Its just the game plan, the game plan decides always the first 11.