XtraTime Web Desk: Gabriel Jesus became the first player to score a goal first and then to get Red carded in a Copa America final last night. The Manchester City forward had been in tremendous form from the semi finals and had been instrumental in winning the Copa America title for his nation for the first time in 12 years.
It might seem weird, but the growing up of Gabriel Jesus will make you cry. The poverty, the struggle he used to do despite playing professional football is no less than remarkable. Jesus once had revealed that he painted the streets of Brazil before the 2014 World Cup with a throwback photo posted on social media.
Jesus was playing for Palmeiras in Sao Paulo’s under-17 championship, scoring 37 goals in 22 games, when the photos were taken.
They show the footballer standing bare foot in the road helping the country in the preparations for hosting the major tournament.
Even Brazil legend Zico once predicted the youngster could become one of the greatest forwards in the world.
“If he continues to grow, he has everything to achieve that,” once he told a leading Brazilian daily. “He demonstrates everyday that he’s a great professional, with fantastic quality.”
“Gabriel is a player who pursues hard work with competence. He has everything to become one of the greatest in Brazilian football history.”
The country which has produced the greatest centre forwards over the years like Pele, Romario, Ronaldo, Adriano and so on, might get another gem on the block in the coming years in the form of Gabriel Jesus.