GABRIEL JESUS
AgE: 21 PLAyIng PoSITIon: STRIKER CLub: MANCHESTER CITY nATIonAL TEAM: BRAZIL Brazil have always produced superb forwards: Pele, Romario, Ronaldo and Neymar to name a few. Now, Gabriel Jesus hopes to emulate them.
The 21-year-old striker is a predator like Romario was. Although he is also extremely hard-working, it doesn’t affect his finishing, and Jesus remains a penalty-box threat.
He has good pace and skill but his strongest attribute is his mobility. Jesus does not stop moving, thereby disrupting defenders constantly.
Brazil manager Tite suggested during his squad announcement that Jesus’ record of nine goals in 15 international matches could see the 21-yearold start over Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino at the World Cup.
Pep Guardiola, who trains Jesus at Manchester City, also admitted that Brazil would face a selection dilemma whether to start with his team’s striker Jesus or Firmino at the World Cup.
“Lucky for Brazil that they have two incredible strikers. Gabriel has an energy, his desire is contagious, his movement... Firmino is older, has already played in other places,” Guardiola said.
Guardiola, however, remained neutral on the selection debate, saying both players had their qualities.
“I can imagine what Brazil can be like in a World Cup on a media level. If you play one, you have to play the other, if you play the other, you have to play the one. It’s an endless discussion.
“It’s Tite’s problem, not mine. But it’s a debate.”