Jesus: I always dreamed of playing in Italy, Ronaldo is the greatest brazilian player

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Jesus spoke about his connection to the FIFA World Cup and Serie A.

In 2014, he was still painting the streets of his hometown; by 2018, he was wearing the Brazil national team's No. 9 jersey. At that time, he seemed destined for greatness: one of the strongest forwards of his generation in South America, and perhaps the world. Injuries changed the trajectory of his life and reshaped his physical map. He suffered a metatarsal fracture in his right foot in 2017, underwent surgery on his right knee in December 2022, had another minor surgery on the same knee in 2023, and tore his left knee's anterior cruciate ligament in January 2025. When the body is repeatedly shattered, the mind is what needs to remain intact, and Jesus seems to have achieved this. He has not blamed fate; instead, he appears calm and resolute. With the FIFA World Cup midway through, and Brazil's path still uncertain, he took the opportunity to discuss his views on Pelé, Romário, Ronaldo, Neymar, Rayan, and the legacy of great Brazilian forwards.

When asked about Ancelotti calling up Igor Thiago, Endrick, and Rayan but not him, Jesus said: "No, I don't think I was even that close to making the 26-man squad. Some players were called up multiple times last year and still got cut. If you ask me 'should I have been in the squad?', my answer is no."

When asked when Ancelotti last contacted him, he said: "We spoke once in January, when I was still scoring goals. Unfortunately, I didn't play much in the final stretch of the season, and honestly, that's why I didn't deserve to be in the FIFA World Cup. I am a very humble person, and I can understand these situations."

When asked what kind of person he is, Jesus said: "I am a happy person, I like to joke with everyone, and I joke with Calafiori too. He played with me at Arsenal and loves Brazil, just like I love Italy. Now he's in Brazil and sends me photos and Brazilian music."

When asked if he could still be happy after so many injuries, he said: "What happened in the past doesn't matter. I am grateful for everything God has given me in my life: He gave me talent and opportunities. During difficult times, I also doubted myself and wondered if I could come back. I had actually been reading the Bible for a long time, but during that period, I truly realized that without Jesus, we are nothing. You will find that what is written in the Bible happens every day, and you cannot do it by yourself at all. Sometimes we think we are superheroes, but the opposite is true: when you realize no one is perfect, you know you need help from others."

Regarding his current stage in life, Jesus said: "This is the best moment of my life. I have a happy family, and for that, I am very grateful. Everyone says I'm always injured, but I'm in great shape now. I want to play, and I know I can do better if I get more playing time."

When asked if he might play in Italy in the future, especially with Milan and Juventus being mentioned, he said: "I grew up watching Serie A and always dreamed of playing in Italy. Scoring two goals against Inter at San Siro last year was like realizing that dream. I don't know what my future holds; right now, I'm just training and seeing what happens next at Arsenal."

When asked whether the Brazil team is better with or without Neymar, he said: "Neymar needs to find some rhythm. We have many excellent players, but Neymar is Neymar, and as long as he's in good form, he should be on the field."

When asked about the ideal attacking combination, he said: "I think Ancelotti will use Vinicius, Rayan, and Cunha, but at crucial moments, Neymar will be on the field."

When asked if Ancelotti finds it difficult to manage this team, Jesus said: "Everyone must respect him; he is the one who has won the most. What impresses me most are the comments from those who have worked with him: he is very open and can turn the team into a big family."

When asked which of these young Brazilian talents is most likely to grow into a top player, he said: "I am very optimistic about Estevão; he has great talent. Then there's Rayan and Endrick. I'm confident about these three."

As the knockout stage began, Jesus's choices for "who is the greatest player in Brazilian history" were revealed one by one. Romário against Rivaldo, he chose Romário; Neymar against Ronaldinho, he chose Neymar. In the semifinals, Romário against Neymar, and Pelé against Ronaldo.

He said: "This round is too difficult. I choose Neymar, and then... Pelé is the King, but I choose Ronaldo; he is my idol."

When asked to make a final choice between "Ronaldo and Pelé," he said: "Ronaldo wins. After going through that injury, I truly understood how difficult it was for him to come back. Ronnie is a different person; to me, he seems like he's from another planet."

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