Ronaldo praises Gabriel Jesus as Arsenal star looks set to start for Brazil

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Gabriel Jesus has been labelled one of the best strikers in the world by Brazil legend Ronaldo in Globo as the Arsenal star prepares to potentially start for Selecao in their final group-stage game at the World Cup tomorrow.

With Brazil through to the knockout stages of the competition, Tite looks set to make changes for their clash with Cameroon on Friday. And one of those, according to Globo, will likely involve Jesus starting in place of Richarlison.

Richarlison stole the show in the opening round of games with his brace against Serbia. And Jesus has a real point to prove after a difficult few years with the national teams.

Ronaldo praises Gabriel Jesus

The 25-year-old started all five of Brazil’s games at the last World Cup. However, he failed to find the back of the net in Russia. And he has only scored one goal in the last three years for Selecao.

He actually has as many goals for his country as Richarlison – albeit in more games. And he is flying for Arsenal, playing a crucial role in the first-half of the campaign as Mikel Arteta’s men put themselves top of the Premier League.

Certainly, he has now received one of the biggest votes of confidences he could possibly get, with Ronaldo backing the Arsenal man to step up for Brazil.

“Gabriel today is one of the best strikers in the world and much more mature than in 2018. The goal will come out naturally and this concern should not cross your mind. All he has to do is get on the field and do what he knows,” he told Globo.

It is odd that Jesus seems to be getting criticism. Obviously, he has not scored for two months for club or country. And he will be extremely disappointed with that.

But it is fair to assume that Arsenal would not be top of the table had they not signed Jesus and opted for another striker instead. He brings so much to the side. And it is no surprise that the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard are thriving around him.

He now has a massive opportunity for Brazil ahead of the knockout stages.

And clearly, Ronaldo would not be surprised if he made the most of the chance.