SMILE
MANCHESTER CITY v WOLVES
The Brazilian striker has suffered for both club and country over the past 12 months, with a string of injuries and a loss of form.
But four goals in City’s 9-0 Carabao Cup semi-final victory over Burton in midweek gave the 21-year-old his second match ball of the season.
And after taking his club-and-country goal tally for the campaign to 13, the Samba striker’s beaming grin is back again.
Jesus, who is now conducting interviews in English, said: “It is a beautiful feeling to be smiling again.
“Is beautiful the right word? Yes? Well my first love is my mum and my family – but my second love is football.
“Football is my life in Manchester. I am a footballer and I feel blessed by God for this.
“I am so happy again. I know that when I lose the ball or I don’t score a goal then the look on my face is one of frustration.
“I have tried to change that because it does not look good.
“But that is me. Sometimes, if I lose chances it is difficult because I feel so bad.
“But I have learned that is football – sometimes you score, sometimes you lose.”
Gabriel looked like a natural successor to City’s record goalscorer Sergio Aguero when he arrived from Palmeiras for £27million two years ago.
Aguero has re-established himself as Pep Guardiola’s No.1 striker in stunning fashion, but the Argentine has been suffering from a virus and Jesus will be lying in wait for Wolves at the Etihad tomorrow night.
Aguero’s advice has been invaluable, and City’s skipper Vincent Kompany wrote a message on the match ball that Jesus took home after the Burton romp, “Proud of you,