Igor Jesus will add an extra attacking dimension to Nottingham Forest, but his own description of his playing style could see him become an absolute star at the City Ground.
After Jesus scored on his Brazil debut back in October, he caught the eye of Forest and other European sides who are looking to add attacking dynamism to their squads.
As it turned out, Jesus rejected Forest in January as he preferred to stay at Botafogo for a little longer, eyeing up the Club World Cup this summer.
Now, though, Forest are in advanced talks to sign Jesus after the Club World Cup, where he will be hoping to show the City Ground faithful how he has modelled his game on some of Europe’s elite attacking threats.
Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images
Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images
Igor Jesus once compared himself to Vinicius Junior
Undoubtedly one of the biggest stars in the sport today, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior has been the catalyst for Champions League success at his club.
So, to hear that Jesus once compared himself to the Brazil star will be a source of immense excitement for Forest fans awaiting his arrival.
Speaking to FIFA in 2024 about his style of play, Jesus said: “The national team has a very pacey attack when you look at players like Vinicius, Rodrygo and [Gabriel] Martinelli. I think my game is quite similar to theirs.
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“I like to try to attack the spaces and I am mobile – I don’t just stay in the box. I am capable of holding onto balls played out by the keeper and holding off defenders, which I think helps to ease the pressure on the team in tough passages of play. I hope I can play well so that I get called up for future squads too.”
If he can be anywhere near the level of player that Vinicius or Rodrygo are, the Forest coaching staff will be feeling incredibly lucky. However, it’s not just self-confidence, as his former national team manager Dorival Junior also recognised the talents of the Botafogo star.
Ex-Brazil boss Dorival Junior is a huge fan of Igor Jesus
Jesus will have to impress iconic manager Carlo Ancelotti to earn a place in the Brazil squad from now on, as Dorival was dismissed, but hopefully, Ancelotti has taken some advice from his predecessor, who has been a long admirer of the Forest-linked striker.
In the same report, Dorival was quoted as saying: “It looks like you are all getting to know Igor Jesus as a player now. I came up against him a few years back. He was really catching the eye at Coritiba. Now that he has returned to Brazil, you are all starting to see his qualities as a player.”
With a successful Club World Cup and a fast start in the Premier League, should the proposed move to Forest materialise, Jesus could have a serious chance at making the Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Botafogo fans are upset about Jesus’ departure, but seeing him star for the national team would at least provide some comfort.