Jesus on World Cup criticism: It was too heavy to read

The 22-year-old came under fire after scoring no goals in five games at the 2018 World Cup and has spoken of how he looked to move past criticism

Manchester City and Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus has admitted that he could not read most of the criticism levelled at him by fans and pundits following the 2018 World Cup.

“As a supporter, I would not like a Brazil number nine to not score,” he told UOL.

“I did not have a good time at work, it happens to everyone.

“I think even if we were eliminated, if I scored in the first or in the fifth game, it would change the whole view of my World Cup.

"I confess that now I have not read much criticism that was written about me, because it was very heavy.

“There are people who praise a person who has played a good game or two, saying that he is a star.

“Others criticise a person who played one or two bad games, saying, 'Why do you play football?'"

“Sometimes it seems they do not want to see the person evolving personally and professionally.”

“I try to think and see if it was an objective criticism, if I can take on the experience and evolve on top of that,” he added.

“A lot of them I did not even see, to be honest. Many, I forgot.

“I'm kind of always wanting the good of people, wanting to see them progress in their professional and personal lives.

“If people tried to take away hatred and lived happier, things would work out better. That's why things in my life work out.”