Chelsea-bound forward Estevao Willian left the pitch on a stretcher after vomiting during Palmeiras’ game against Bolivar on Thursday.
The teenager, who is set to officially join Chelsea from Palmeiras this summer, turned 18 on Thursday and celebrated his birthday by scoring in his side’s 3-2 Copa Libertadores win over Bolivar.
However, later in that game, Estevao dropped to the turf and vomited, subsequently leaving the pitch on a stretcher and being substituted just before the hour mark.
The Brazil international explained after the game that he struggled to get used to the high altitude, with the match played at an elevation of around 3,650 metres at the Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz, Bolivia.
“It took me a while to get used to it and unfortunately I couldn’t continue,” he told Paramount+, as reported by Globo. “It was really a matter of the altitude. It’s surreal here.”
Não dá pra fazer aniversário sem ganhar presente, né, Cria? 😂
Então tome dois: o gol e a vitória na altitude! QUE NOITE, ESTÊVÃO! 😎 pic.twitter.com/dEHTvOGCs8
— SE Palmeiras (@Palmeiras) April 25, 2025
The teenager was treated by the Palmeiras medical staff after returning to the bench.
“I told the players that they would suffer,” head coach Abel Ferreira said of the conditions. “Here they would have to look for air to breathe. I climbed the stairs and I’m tired, imagine the players.”
Estevao has scored seven goals and provided one assist in 22 games this season and will compete in the revamped Club World Cup this summer, where Palmeiras have been drawn into a group with Porto, Al Ahly and Inter Miami.
Chelsea will pay €34million (£29m; $38.5m) up front for the 18-year-old winger with another €23m (£19.6m; $261m) tied to performance-based incentives at both his current club and his new one.
Palmeiras are next in action against Bahia on April 27.
(Heuler Andrey/Getty Images)