FC Barcelona forward Gabriel Jesus is eagerly awaiting his first El Clasico against Real Madrid, describing the opportunity to represent the Catalan club in one of football’s biggest rivalries as a dream come true.
Speaking to Brazilian streaming platform Caze TV during Barcelona’s media day on Friday as quoted by [SPORT](https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/previa-clasico-fc-barcelona-real-135681577), the 29-year-old reflected on his long-standing desire to wear the Blaugrana shirt.
**“It really is a dream to play in this Clasico for the first time,”** Jesus admitted ahead of Sunday’s encounter.
**“I have never hidden my desire to wear the Barcelona shirt one day. I said it many years ago in several interviews, and that goal also included playing in El Clasico.”**
The Brazilian explained that he has already experienced several intense rivalries throughout his career, including Palmeiras against Corinthians and major fixtures in English football.
**“I have played in many matches of this magnitude throughout my life, and Barcelona against Real Madrid is undoubtedly among the most important in the world,”** he added.
Although Sunday will mark his first Clasico, Jesus is no stranger to facing Madrid.
The striker scored three goals against the Spanish giants during his Manchester City career, all in the Champions League, including a memorable strike at the Santiago Bernabeu.
**“Those were memorable Champions League knockout ties, including a goal at the Bernabeu, where we managed to progress on both occasions,”** he recalled.
Jesus approaches the encounter in encouraging form, having registered four goals and one assist in seven competitive appearances since joining Barcelona.
His recent goal against Real Betis, assisted by Lamine Yamal, highlighted the understanding he is developing with his new teammates.
Beyond his finishing, Jesus offers intelligent movement, relentless pressing and experience against elite opponents, qualities that could prove particularly useful against Madrid.
His previous goals against Los Blancos will naturally give him confidence, although playing in El Clasico brings a different level of expectation.
Jesus appears genuinely motivated by the occasion rather than intimidated by it and Hansi Flick will be planning how to use him on Sunday.
Sunday offers him the perfect opportunity to turn a childhood ambition into another memorable chapter of his career.