9 Gabriel Jesus

Gabriel Fernando de Jesus was born on April 3, 1997, in São Paulo, Brazil. Raised in the Jardim Peri neighborhood by his single mother, Vera, along with his two brothers, he developed his skills playing street football before joining amateur clubs. His last club before turning professional was Associação Atlética Anhanguera.

Club Career

Palmeiras (2013–2016)

In July 2013, Jesus signed a youth contract with Palmeiras. He quickly gained attention, scoring 54 goals in 48 matches that year. In 2014, he extended his contract with Palmeiras and made his senior debut in 2015. That same year, he was named the league’s Best Newcomer. His performances helped Palmeiras secure the 2016 national title, and he was awarded the prestigious Bola de Ouro as the best player of the season.

Manchester City (2017–2022)

Jesus moved to Manchester City in January 2017 for £27 million. He made an immediate impact, scoring and assisting in his first Premier League start. Despite an early metatarsal injury, he finished his debut season with seven goals in 11 appearances.

Over the next five seasons, he won multiple domestic titles, including four Premier League championships, three EFL Cups, and an FA Cup. Notably, he played a key role in the 2018 title-winning campaign, scoring the decisive goal to secure a record 100 points. He also made history in the Champions League, becoming the only player to score in two separate games against Real Madrid in the 2019–2020 season.

Arsenal (2022–Present)

In July 2022, Jesus transferred to Arsenal for £45 million, signing a five-year contract. He made an immediate impact, scoring twice and providing two assists in his home debut against Leicester City. He continued his strong performances, earning Arsenal’s Player of the Month award for August 2022.

His first North London Derby goal helped Arsenal secure a 3–1 victory over Tottenham. Despite a knee injury sustained at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he made a strong return in March 2023. In December 2024, he scored his first hat-trick for Arsenal in a 3–2 win over Crystal Palace. However, in January 2025, he suffered an ACL injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season.

International Career

Youth Level Success

Jesus played a key role for Brazil’s youth teams, finishing as a runner-up in the 2015 U-20 World Cup and winning Olympic gold at the 2016 Summer Olympics. His two goals in the semi-finals helped Brazil advance to the final, where they defeated Germany on penalties.

Senior Team Contributions

He made his senior debut in September 2016, scoring twice against Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier. Jesus was Brazil’s top scorer in the CONMEBOL qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup but failed to score during the tournament itself.

In 2019, he was instrumental in Brazil’s Copa América triumph, scoring in the final against Peru before being controversially sent off. He later received a two-month ban for his conduct. He was also part of Brazil’s squad for the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he sustained a knee injury that ended his tournament early.

Playing Style and Legacy

A versatile forward, Jesus is capable of playing across multiple attacking positions, excelling in pressing, dribbling, and technical ability. He has drawn comparisons to Brazilian legend Ronaldo and has been praised by Pep Guardiola as the “best striker/defender” he has worked with.

While initially deployed as a winger at Manchester City, Jesus has found success at Arsenal playing as a central striker in a 4-3-3 formation. His signature “Alô Mãe” celebration, mimicking a phone call, has become iconic.

Personal Life

Jesus moved to England with his mother, brother, and close friends. Deeply religious, he wore the number 33 as a tribute to Jesus Christ’s crucifixion age. He shares a strong bond with Neymar, with whom he has matching tattoos symbolizing their roots.

In May 2022, he and his partner, Raiane Lima, welcomed their first child. His goal celebration has been featured in the FIFA video game series, further cementing his popularity beyond the football pitch.