For a footballer, earning a nickname early in their career can set a daunting standard to uphold.

Since joining Chelsea, Brazilian teenager Estevao Willian has made efforts to distance himself from the moniker ‘Messinho’—a nod to Lionel Messi that he earned while playing at his childhood club, Cruzeiro.

Similarly, Manchester United’s promising academy player JJ Gabriel has been reluctant to embrace the ‘Kid Messi’ label, which is understandable given the pressure of being compared to an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

This is a consideration for Brazilian striker Wendeson Wanderley Santos de Melo, known professionally as ‘Dell,’ another promising talent from South America with potential for Premier League stardom.

At just 17, Dell plays for Bahia in Brazil’s Serie A, having made his senior debut earlier this year in January.

Chelsea starlet Estevao has been keen to get away from his early nickname comparing him to Lionel Messi

But rising Brazilian star Dell is happy to be compared to Manchester City’s Erling Haaland

However, whispers of his prowess began much earlier when Dell was making waves in the club’s youth teams, earning him the nickname ‘the Haaland of Sertão’—a reference to Brazil’s rural hinterlands.

First catching the eye in Bahia’s under-17s squad, Dell scored a mammoth 40 goals in his 34 appearances in 2023, before netting another 12 in 21 the following season. 

It was during the 2024 season that the then-16-year old led his side to victory in the under-17 Baianao Championships, claiming his first title in the regional tournament. 

At the same time, Dell began training with his side’s under-20 squad, as well as attracting the attention of Dudu Patetuci, the coach of Brazil’s under-15s and under-17s squad. 

Patetuci started Dell in the younger squad, taking him to the under-15s South American Championship in 2024, where he finished the tournament as the top scorer with four goals and a further two assists under his belt. 

A year later, Dell appeared with the older squad, claiming the under-17s South American Champions in March of this year. 

The player has now received a call-up to play in the under-17s World Cup in Qatar next month. 

South America has proved a fertile hunting ground for top European sides in recent years, with Chelsea’s crop of young talents in particular – including Estevao, Andrey Santos, and Kendry Paez – a sign of increased scrutiny over the South American leagues. 

Perhaps mindful of this, Bahia handed their young standout a bumper new contract spanning until 2027, containing a release clause worth approximately £87million (R$640 million).

The 17-year-old has dazzled for both the under-17s and under-20s squads at Bahia, as well as making his senior debut

The player’s social media only highlights his achievements on the pitch and snapshots from his long-term relationship 

Among the clubs thought to be circling include Manchester City and AC Milan, as per ESPN, with understandably eager to secure a youngster with confidence striking with both feet and a clinical confidence in front of goal. 

But City could have the upper hand in the race for the striker’s signature, with Bahia falling under the same City Group ownership conglomerate. 

City Group own 90 per cent of the Bahia-based football club, and Man City could yet use their influence within the multi-club structure to lure the player to the Etihad in the future. 

For Dell’s part, he has no issue with his moniker, bestowed on him off the back of his impressive youth performances rather than his comparatively diminutive 5ft 9′ height, but cited another influence alongside the Norwegian behemoth. 

‘I’m very happy to receive this nickname. Haaland is an inspiration to many,’ Dell told ESPN at the start of the year. ‘He’s a guy whose videos I enjoy watching, both outside and inside the box. I think my movements are similar to his. 

‘I have a few other role models, but besides Haaland, a striker I like and have always followed since the youth academy is (Al-Hilal’s) Marcos Leonardo, who came through Santos. I enjoy watching him play.’

And City fans have every right to start getting excited: Dell has also made no secret of his desire to travel to Europe to further his career, with the player hyping up Pep Guardiola’s side heavily in previous interviews. 

‘Every player dreams of playing at a high level in Europe,’ Dell added. ‘I have this dream of playing for a club like Manchester City, which for me is the best club in the world. 

Dell is on the right path to succeed so far – he’s signed to the agency of Brazilian super-agent Giuliano Bertolucci, which represents players including Gabriel Magalhaes, Marquinhos, and Bruno Guimaraes, and already sponsored by Umbro. 

The teenager also appears to have his feet placed firmly on the ground, with his social media profile showing only pictures of his youth success and snapshots from his long-term relationship with childhood sweetheart Lua Leal. 

‘But I believe things will happen naturally,’ Dell continued, back in January. ‘Before that, I want to play here at Bahia, win titles, become an idol, and then go on to forge my path in Europe. 

‘Who knows, maybe win titles and become an idol at Manchester City too.’