The 19-year-old spoke to SportsCenter Brazil, providing a chronological account of the day the news arrived. He was getting ready for a shower when the club doctor called three consecutive times.
"I thought: 'Hmm…'"
He called back and what followed told him everything before a word had been said about the scan results.
"He said: 'Bring your parents here because we want to speak with them as well.' At a club like this, you know that if it was any other kind of news, they would just tell you right away. When they asked me to bring my parents, I already felt something bigger had happened."
The diagnosis was a grade four tear of the biceps femoris — the most severe category of hamstring injury. Estevao had not known that classification existed.
"The hardest moment was when I found out the news itself, that it was grade four. I didn't even know there was a grade four. I didn't even know it existed. Unfortunately, it happened."
Chelsea's medical team and owner Todd Boehly both pushed for surgery. Estevao and his camp declined. A second MRI scan taken two weeks ago showed the injury had healed to a remarkable degree — the doctor telling him the structure of the tissue was better than expected for the timeframe involved.
"But life goes on. Now it's about recovering well and treating it properly so I can come back as quickly as possible."
Missing the World Cup was the sharpest pain. Estevao had scored five goals in 11 international appearances for Brazil before Carlo Ancelotti's squad was finalised, and he had genuine hope of a significant role in North America before the injury struck in April.
"It's the fulfilment of a dream to play in a World Cup. Everyone waits for that. Especially me, because I had been part of the whole process."
When asked directly if he cried.
"A lot. A lot. It was a moment of huge sadness in my heart. I don't think I even slept that night."
His recovery in Brazil — which drew scrutiny given Chelsea's preferred treatment plan — was explained simply by his need for emotional support during the lowest point of his career.
"I thank my parents and my sister for being by my side. They strengthened me, kept me going, hugged me and reminded me they were there. I always value having the people you love next to you because those are the moments when you need them most."
"You need a hug. You need someone to cry with. I cried in my parents' arms. It was no joke. I cried a lot."
Estevao's parents have been central to his career from the beginning.
"My parents have been with me since the beginning and they're with me now. They never let fame or money go to my head."