Nottingham Forest appear to have made a clever move when they signed Igor Jesus, as his former club Botafogo continue to struggle in front of goal.
Brazilian outlet [**Globo Esporte**](https://ge.globo.com/futebol/times/botafogo/noticia/2025/10/16/problema-de-gols-botafogo-convive-com-dificuldade-no-ataque-desde-a-saida-de-igor-jesus.ghtml?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter) reports that the Rio de Janeiro side have scored just once in their last four league matches, highlighting how much they miss their former striker.
Since Igor Jesus left after the Club World Cup, no forward has managed to secure a starting place.
Arthur Cabral, who replaced him, was booed off during Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat to Flamengo. Davide Ancelotti admitted that finishing has become a real issue for the team. Other forward options such as Chris Ramos and Gonzalo Mastriani are also struggling to convert their chances.
_“We have difficulty in turning games around. It’s evident. We have difficulty scoring goals. It’s not about creating chances but about finishing them,”_ the coach told reporters after the match.
In contrast, Igor Jesus is making an impact at Nottingham Forest, already scoring four goals since joining in July.
Remarkably, despite leaving Brazil nearly four months ago (and having played only 10 league games), he remains Botafogo’s top scorer in 2025 with nine goals. Midfielder Jefferson Savarino, who scored only four, is the current leader of the ranking.
_“When we see that our current top scorer has four goals, it means we’re a team that plays, competes and defends well, but has problems scoring”_, the manager stressed.
The numbers underline how valuable he was to Ancelotti’s attack. And how effectively he has adapted to English football.
The striker’s start at Nottingham Forest has been promising, suggesting the club may have found a consistent option up front. Meanwhile, Botafogo continue to search for answers in a season that has quickly become complicated.