Gabriel Jesus

Gabriel Fernando de Jesus (Brazilian Gabriel Fernando de Jesus); born April 3, 1997 in São Paulo, Brazil) is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester City and the Brazil national team. Winner of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Participant of the 2018 World Cup. One of only two Brazilians to win the 2016 Olympics and the 2019 America's Cup.

Biography

Jesus was born in the São Paulo Jardim-Per district, which, despite its geographical proximity to the center, was considered one of the most “downtrodden areas” of this metropolis. Like all local children, he devoted all his free time to playing football. Only now Jesus did not run on the streets of Sao Paulo, but went to the northern military prison of Sao Paulo, where grounds for the local semi-professional club were organized.

The turning point in the life of the future star came at the age of 13, when he was included in the program of the Anhanjuera football academy. She allowed all the boys from São Paulo to prove themselves in the amateur leagues, and the most talented of them to get into the academy. By the age of 15, all of Brazil already knew about Jesus. All local grandees came for him, and in the end, the choice fell on Palmeiras.

Club career

In the first season, Jesus scored 54 goals in 48 matches and attracted the attention of foreign clubs. However, it was too early to move to Europe. Shortly before the World Cup at home, the striker was transferred to Palmeiras U17 and played two good seasons in the Paulista League. By the age of 17, Jesus signed his first professional contract and found himself on the bench.

"Palmeiras"

Gabriel Jesus for Palmeiras

At first, Jesus, as expected, polished the bench. Palmeiras at that time was fighting for survival, so the head coaches had no time for experiments. On May 9, 2015, in a match against Atlético Mineiro, he made his debut in the Brazilian Serie B. On August 30, in a duel against Joinville, Jesus made a “double”, scoring his first goals for Palmeiras. In his first season, Gabriel won the Brazilian Cup. In 2016, in the matches of the Copa Libertadores against the Argentine Rosario Central, as well as the Uruguayan River Plate and Nacional, Gabriel scored four goals. At the end of the season, the player played 27 matches, in which he scored 12 goals and made 4 assists, for which he was recognized as the best player of the season in Brazil. By 2016, Jesus was considered one of the most sought-after Brazilian talents in Europe. The struggle for it unfolded between the Italian, English and Spanish giants.

"Manchester city"

On August 3, 2016, Jesus signed a five-year contract with Manchester City. The transfer amount was 32 million euros. Under the terms of the agreement, Gabriel had to finish the season in Brazil. By this time, Palmeiras had soared to the top of the standings, where they finished at the end of the season, having issued the first championship since 1994. Gabriel ended his performance at Palmeiras with 21 goals and 7 assists.

On January 19, 2017, Jesus was officially introduced as a City player. City's first season under Guardiola did not live up to all expectations, so Jesus was immediately thrown into action, replacing the injured Sergio Aguero. On January 21, in a match against Tottenham, he made his debut in the English Premier League, replacing Raheem Sterling in the second half. In the next match against West Ham United, Jesus scored his first goal for Manchester City, and also scored an assist. In his third match for City against Swansea City, Gabriel made a "double". Thanks to outstanding performance, the Brazilian was able to push Aguero into the reserve, but on February 13 he received a serious injury - a fracture of the metatarsal bone, due to which he missed almost three months. On April 28, he entered the field for the first time after an injury, and on April 30 he scored a goal, hitting the Middlesbrough gate. In his debut season, Jesus became the champion of England.

In the summer, Guardiola did not buy a new striker, starting to release Jesus and Aguero in the starting lineup. The Brazilian scored his first goal on August 26, 2017, hitting Bournemouth (2:1). On September 9, he helped his team defeat Liverpool (5: 0), having issued the second double in his English career. On October 14, he again broke out with a double, and three days later he scored the winning goal against Napoli. City confidently entrenched in first place, and Jesus was recognized as the team's best player in October. On December 6, he scored an assist in the away match against Shakhtar, but it was not enough to avoid defeat in Kharkiv. Gaby lost for the first time in 14 months.

In February 2018, Jesus was able to help City win the League Cup final against Arsenal (3-0), coming on as a substitute in the 77th minute of the match. In the quarter-final confrontation of the Champions League, the "citizens" lost to Liverpool (0:3, 1:2), losing in two matches.

On April 15, 2018, five rounds before the end of the championship, Manchester City won the Premier League by beating Tottenham (3:1) and waiting for Manchester United's misfire in the match with West Bromwich Albion (0:1).

On November 7, 2018, he scored a hat-trick in the Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk (6:0). On December 11, 2019, he scored his second hat-trick in the Champions League against Dinamo Zagreb (4:1).

In September 2021, it became known that FIFA suspended the player for 5 days due to the fact that he was not allowed to play in Brazil in the 2022 World Cup qualifying tournament.

National Team career

In 2015, Gabriel helped the youth team reach the final of the World Youth Championship in New Zealand. At the tournament, he played in matches against teams from Hungary, Nigeria, Uruguay, Portugal, Senegal and Serbia. In a duel against the Nigerians, Jesus scored a goal.

In 2016, as part of the Brazilian Olympic team, Gabriel won the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. At the tournament, he played in matches against the teams of South Africa, Iraq, Denmark, Colombia, Honduras and Germany. In fights against the Danes and Hondurans, Jesus scored three goals.

On September 1, 2016, in the qualifying match of the 2018 World Cup against the national team of Ecuador, Jesus made his debut for the Brazilian national team. In the same match, he made a "double", scoring his first goals for the national team. Subsequently, he scored 5 more goals, and his team confidently won the South American group and received a ticket to Russia.

In 2018, Jesus took part in the World Championship in Russia. At the tournament, he played in matches against the teams of Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia, Mexico and Belgium.

Jesus with the medal of the winner of the Olympic Games 2016

In the summer of 2019, Gabriel was invited to the national team to participate in the America's Cup, which took place in Brazil. In the semifinal match against Argentina in the 19th minute, he scored a goal and opened the scoring in the winning match (2:0). In the final against Peru, in the 45th minute of the match, he scored the second goal of his national team, and his team eventually won and won the trophy.

Achievements

Team Achievements

"Palmeiras"

1. Brazilian Champion: 2016

2. Brazil Cup Winner: 2015

Total: 2 trophies

"Manchester city"

1. English Champion (3): 2017/18, 2018/19, 2020/21

2. FA Cup Winner: 2018/19

3. FA Super Cup Winner (2): 2018, 2019

4. Football League Cup winner (4): 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21

Total: 10 trophies

Brazil national team

1. Olympic champion: 2016

2. America's Cup Winner: 2019

3. America's Cup finalist: 2021

Total: 2 trophies