Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus gave a frank assessment of his poor goalscoring record with Brazil, which was extended in Tuesday's loss to Argentina.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Jesus played full 90 mins against ArgentinaFailed to score as Brazil lost 1-0Only scored once since 2019 Copa America finalWHAT HAPPENED?
The Gunners frontman started his first match since picking up a hamstring injury in Arsenal's Champions League clash at Sevilla last month, as Brazil played host to arch-rivals Argentina in a 2026 World Cup qualifying clash. However, despite playing the full ninety minutes at the Maracana stadium, Jesus was unable to find the back of the net. This extends a dire run of scoring just once – in a friendly against South Korea in June 2022 – since his goal in the 2019 Copa America final in July 2019, which Brazil won 3-1.
AdvertisementWHAT JESUS SAID
But Jesus appeared nonchalant when asked by of his miserable record at international level, stating: "There are things that bothered me a lot in the post 2018 World Cup cycle. I was younger, I had a different mind. Today I am a more mature man, more educated, a family man. I understand football is a priority for me, and I know I need to be well to do my best, especially in the Brazilian team. There are things that I don’t control. I train, I look for, I try, I move, I help the team. The goal is inevitable. I believe it’s not my strong point, but I score goals and I’m there to score goal. When I come back, it will happen. It’s work. I work quietly, I’m not one to respond to criticism, I’m not one to be happy for praise. I was, I won’t be anymore.”
Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Tuesday night was not only disappointing on a personal level for Jesus, but also as a collective for Brazil. Fernando Diniz's side fell to a Nicolas Otamendi goal just after the hour mark to lose their third straight match, and their first ever World Cup qualifier on home soil. The Selecao are suffering something of a crisis up front, with injuries to Neymar, Vinicius Junior and Richarlison putting the responsibility solely on Jesus – who is thus far yet to step up to the plate at international level, at least in terms of goalscoring.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR JESUS?
Luckily for the Arsenal forward, club football resumes this weekend. Mikel Arteta will once again be able to call on the Brazilian as his side look to build on a win against Burnley last time out when they travel to Brentford on Saturday.
