Gabriel Jesus: I am returning to my best football

By Daily Sports on May 17, 2018

Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus says he’s returning to his best form after an MCL injury significantly hampered his season this term.

Brazil boss Tite has indicated he’ll initially call on Jesus to be his first-choice No. 9 heading into this summer’s World Cup. However, the 21-year-old will face competition from in-form Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino.

Jesus was forced to miss 10 matches at the start of the year after going down with a knee injury against Crystal Palace, and he told ESPN Brazil he is only now returning to his best football despite returning to action in late February.

After scoring a sumptuous stoppage-time winner in City’s season-finale at West Ham on Sunday, the former Palmeiras man told the outlet: “I, particularly speaking, have had much better games. However, I am returning normally to my best football. Calmly.”

Leading the line for Brazil at a World Cup comes with enormous responsibility, with the likes of Romario and Ronaldo most recently becoming national heroes for their starring performances in the Selecao’s 1994 and 2002 triumphs, respectively.

Jesus has been capped by his country just 15 times thus far but has already scored nine goals, and says despite the external pressures, he will be his harshest critic in Russia.

“I am very self-critical and always will be. I think this makes me want to improve, always,” he said.

“But just because I'm self-critical and say what I thought of my performance in a game, it doesn’t mean I will bring myself down, ever. This is a point that just makes me improve. If I see that I didn’t do well, I am going to want to get better, always. This only helps me out.”

Because of his injury and then sharing minutes with fellow City striker Sergio Aguero this season, Jesus stands to arrive in Russia fresh, having played in just 42 games in all competitions.

Asked if the rest will benefit him in Russia, Jesus said: “It depends. I, particularly, in my case, I don’t think it would be a problem, because I practice very hard, I take care of myself and I’m young.

“So I always want to run, I always want to play. But, of course, I will get there a little less worn out.”

One aspect of the World Cup Jesus surely won’t tire of, however, is collecting World Cup stickers for his Panini book.

A lifelong collector, Jesus has gotten a thrill out of finally having a sticker of his own to add.

He said: “Man, you look at it and you don’t believe it because you used to collect the stickers of so many players and, today, yours is there. You get your own and you see everyone talking about it, you see everyone wanting to get your sticker.

“This is crazy. It makes me so happy. Sometimes I can”t even believe it. It is simply the biggest tournament in the world of football, the most desired by every player in every country. Before, you had an idea. Now you really know what it's like.” (ESPN)

•Photo shows Jesus

Source Daily Sports

Posted May 17, 2018


 

You may also like...
My administration committed to sports development — Delta...

West Ham’s Fabianski Out For Two Months

Rohr reveals selection criteria for Super Eagles

Osimhen Shines As Napoli Run Riot With Goals...

Matic return leaves Conte with Fabregas dilemma

Dalung apologises to Dream Team, calls them true...

 

Latest News Enugu State To Host 2026 National Sports Festival 75% of EPL clubs want City relegated — Guardiola Boniface out for several weeks Solanke reveals love for Nigeria, plans visit Adesanya to headline UFC event in Saudi Besiktas eye January move for Chukwueze ‘It makes you proud,’ Rodri speaks on potential Real Madrid call Eagles lack character, even Mourinho can’t save them – Iloenyosi Premier League clubs approve changes to associated party sponsorship rules CAF awards: Ajibade, Nnadozie, Edo Queens bag nominations Lagos SWAN, PAACC Hold SWAN Day At Golfview Hotels, Ikeja Crisis looms as Eagles’ form raises AFCON, W’Cup concerns

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,169 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,312 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,374 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,018 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (43,952 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,910 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,748 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,322 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,373 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,057 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,511 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,938 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media