Nottingham Forest striker Igor Jesus talks about his former life as a goalkeeper and how he expected to be playing for the UAE rather than Brazil
Peter Smith Stoke City reporter
12:54, 15 Nov 2025
Igor Jesus has reflected on his journey to Nottingham Forest.
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Igor Jesus has reflected on his journey to Nottingham Forest.(Image: Getty)
Igor Jesus admits it wasn’t a straightforward deal when Nottingham Forest came calling in the summer.
The 24-year-old striker had been back in Brazil for 12 months after four years in Dubai and he had enjoyed a remarkable time, helping Botafogo become Copa Libertadores champions for the first time and regain the league title for the first time since 1995.
He had broken into the Brazil squad and was loving life in Rio de Janeiro – but he couldn’t turn down the chance to move to England, challenge himself in the Premier League and brace himself for what he had heard about the weather.
“To be honest it was complicated because I was very happy at Botafogo and really settled in the city,” he said. “Obviously a lot of things go through your mind, moving to England, the cold weather, having to adapt to a completely new style of football again.
“I was happy at Botafogo, things were going well. I knew an opportunity would present itself at any moment so I made the decision together with my family. Also every player wants to play in the Premier League and play alongside the best players.
“I’m happy. I’m happy here. I made a great decision. I’m able to live through this new experience, to be able to experience a different type of cold. They say the real cold hasn’t arrived yet but I’m preparing myself for it and I’m also sure things will go well.”
Jesus is still waiting for his first Premier League goal but he’s scored five times in other competitions, including three in the Europa League.
He said: “I’m trying to settle as quickly as possible. It’s a different league to Brazil. It’s a much more physical league so you have to be strong and really prepare yourself well because the pace of the game here is quicker. Little by little I’m adapting to it.
“I’m enjoying being a part of this important season.”
This is all a lot different from his first steps in football as a kid, when he was playing at the other end of the pitch as he grew up in Cuiaba.
“The truth is I started out as a goalkeeper but I stopped wanting to be a goalkeeper after I broke my arm in a scooter accident,” said the 5ft 11in forward in Portuguese in an interview for the Forest website.
“I never wanted to ride a scooter. The first time I rode one, I hit a stone, went flying and landed on my arm. My arm swelled up when I fell. Even though I didn’t break it while playing in goal, just the thought that I could end up in that situation again was enough for me not to want to risk it.
“My nickname was ‘Little frog’. I could jump very high and had an unusual jumping style when it came to making saves. It was my uncle who gave me the nickname. He also played as a goalkeeper and he saw me making saves and that I jumped like a frog.”
Jesus evolved into a midfielder post-scooter accident and then he was moved up front as he came through the ranks at Coritiba.
He said: “Before I left to Coritiba, a coach saw that I had something different and played me as a midfielder. When I moved to Coritiba though it was a completely different story. I could get away from my marker well and had good instincts and the coach ended up playing me as a striker.
“I was already stocky and strong so from that moment on the coach played me a striker. I played in the EFIPAN tournament (a Brazilian youth tournament), which was my first with Coritiba, I was able to put in some good performances and help the team by scoring in the semi-final and final as we beat Gremio to win the tournament.
“We were 13 and the tournament was held in Alegrete. It was the first tournament we played in front a packed stadium, some 25,000 to 30,000 people and of course it was an emotional moment. We wanted to show everyone what we could do. It was a wonderful campaign.
“Thankfully that all happened in the best possible way and I was able to turn professional at Coritiba, a club renowned for bringing through players. I was very happy there.”
Eighteen months after his senior debut at Coritiba, in the summer of 2020, Jesus made the move to Shabab Al Ahli in Dubai, where he won domestic trophies including the UAE Pro League.
He said: “The pandemic was in effect and Shabab Al Ahli put in a good offer and the transfer was signed off. I was very happy in Dubai and experienced great moments. I was able to win major titles and become a better person because I learned many things.”
That looked like how it would stay for the rest of his career – to the point that he was considering becoming a United Arab Emirates citizen to represent them at international level – until a call that changed his life again in 2024.
He said: “From the moment my agent told me about Botafogo’s offer I didn’t think twice. I was able to win major titles and become a club legend.
“It was just surreal. I think God’s plans are perfect because when I was in the UAE, my plan was to stay in Dubai for the rest of my career and play for the UAE national team – but things played out completely differently.
“What I’m living through now is the best for me, playing for Brazil, playing in the Premier League, the best league in the world. I’m very grateful for my experiences. What is good for you is not necessarily the best and playing in this top league is what’s best for me.”
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