If Nottingham Forest fans needed any convincing of the talents of Igor Jesus, his winning goal for Botafogo against PSG will have done the trick.
Jesus will arrive at Forest after the Club World Cup, a tournament that has given Reds fans the perfect opportunity to see just what Evangelos Marinakis has invested in.
All signs are good so far. Jesus scored against the Seattle Sounders in Botafogo’s opening game of the tournament, followed by the goal that was enough to topple the Champions League winners on Thursday evening.
Forest fans are rightly getting more and more excited about the Brazilian, but nobody is more enthralled by Jesus than Botafogo owner John Textor, who produced a remarkable gesture to celebrate his striker’s goal.
Igor Jesus celebrates scoring his team's only goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Botafogo
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
John Textor shone Igor Jesus’ boots after PSG winner
Marinakis has a good relationship with Textor, which helped the negotiations to sign Jesus run smoothly. It’s not as if Textor was happy to depart with Jesus, though, with his adoration for the striker on full show after the full-time whistle against PSG.
Jesus raced in on goal and, with the help of a deflection off Willian Pacho, finished beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma late in the first half. It was the only goal of the game and Textor was keen to celebrate it as he was seen shining Jesus’ boots in front of the cameras after the game.
The 24-year-old striker was clearly on cloud nine after the goal, attempting to reflect on the moment when talking to the media after Textor’s gesture.
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A confident individual, Jesus feels prepared for the Premier League and big moments in the Club World Cup will only affirm this feeling, especially when they come against the Champions League holders.
Speaking to GE Globo about the goal after the game, Jesus said: “When I climbed the wall, my vision actually went black, it felt like I was in a dream.
“I just want to thank everyone who believes in my work. As I always said, when I arrived at Botafogo, many people didn’t believe in my potential. But I knew what I could give this group.”
Jesus’ arrival at the City Ground will be delayed if Botafogo go deep in the tournament, but the priceless experience he is earning by playing against these elite European sides will only improve his chances of adapting to the Premier League with Forest.