Gabriel Jesus insisted he wants a more prominent role at Barcelona and is ready to compete with Raphinha for a starting spot in the line-up.
The 29-year-old joined Barca from Arsenal this summer after four seasons with the Gunners, helping them end their wait for a Premier League title last season.
However, Jesus was seen as a surplus to requirements for Mikel Arteta, leading to his €10m (£8.6m) move to Camp Nou.
The Brazilian forward scored on his Champions League debut for Barca, but was an unused substitute against Levante on the weekend; Raphinha provided two assists in the 4-2 win.
Raphinha has directly contributed to nine goals (six goals, three assists) in five LaLiga games this season, and Jesus knows replacing his compatriot is no easy task.
"Rapha is scoring goals. He plays every game, he deserves it," Jesus told Tot Costa.
"I'm going to try to compete and wait for my opportunity to play more and get more minutes.
"I want to score goals and help, and I don't want to do it when it's 2 or 3 or 4-0, I want to score important goals."
After joining from Manchester City in 2022, Jesus scored 32 goals and provided 18 assists in 123 appearances for Arsenal.
Raphinha, who joined Barca in 2022, has scored 75 goals and registered 52 assists across the last four seasons with the Blaugrana.
Hansi Flick's side face Racing Santander next on Wednesday as they look to maintain their perfect start to the season, before travelling to Sevilla in their final game ahead of the international break.
vadkmoruy
1
what a joke 😃 😀
Shahebaz444
0
My favorite track from FIFA - smallpools: dreaming 'we got no place to go, caught up in a rodeo, oh no please God tell me we're dreaming.'
fifa 13 or 14?
Moseskhalid
1
they have to rest raphinha ND give Jesus some minutes
Michelemali01
0
I love that
Yumbcnrstu
0
Yeah right
Desciklnot
0
Jesus has nothing to offer in exchange of starting lineup. Raphina is a GEM
but he will get injure once the game is important like UCL semi or la liga last stage 🤣
Desciklnot
0
raphinha will get injury he won't play full season I know and jesus will have a lot of chances to start
Atleti_faithful_7
1
My favorite track from FIFA - smallpools: dreaming 'we got no place to go, caught up in a rodeo, oh no please God tell me we're dreaming.'
AFerRelf0958
0
Nice!
BeckMathew
0
😂
Denbcdknos
0
1q1qqpa
Edooo87
2
Good luck for both
bwalyaalfred024
0
believe me Gabby u ain't ready cos Raphinha's on fire
Teneknpstu
1
you must score more goals for barca so that flick can trust you
Yabacdrsuy
1
Manage your expectations Jesus
retcistz
3
this is what Jesus said,Rapha is scoring goals he plays every game he deserves it I am going to try and compete and wait for my opportunity to play,now tell me what's wrong with that statement this question is for all the idiots who doesn't read but loves to make negative comments..
yebilmnptz
2
Yes, we want competition and we needed players who score an important goals more especially when its needed the most but this kind of gesture happened in crucial matches and flick and fans are not ready to start any player an bench raphinha in crucial matches unless may be rapha is unfit, so is better you keep accepting the current role, or take your advantage when raphinha is reserve for a biggest match ahead. But it hardly you get the role you were looking for whenever rapha is fit and healthy cuz important goals happened mostly in an important matches or when a club needed to score and win the match the most and if the club are looking for this opportunity a player like raphinha is not acceptable and happy by fans for him to remain on bench, even if alvarez sign i dont think barca can bench rapha for him, in crucial games they most find a way for the 2 to play together or he comes as reinforcement later and thats mainly bcos alvarez score a wonder goals from outside box and can take advantage of free-kick at any given time more especially if the club find it difficult to break defense line in big games
Miaabcekm
1
All we need as Barcelona fans are trophies. We don't need to know who will score the goals but our trophies 🤞
ritcestuyz
0
Jesus the striker tht only score goals during festiv seasons 😂😂
vecabcky
1
Jesus,you can’t compete with Raphinha, he’s been playing for Barcelona few years ago and you just landed at Barcelona you not Ronaldinho.
Dancdinry
0
lol yea right
The_Alpha13
0
compete with the hospital bed, you mean. Jesus is a class player on his day, but Rapha is levels above Jesus atp. the defining factor is one is more injury-proned than the other.
Locabmotyz
1
Raphinha is automatic machine
dazbdenory
0
alaham du lilahi
namekprz
2
good mindset bro
Chris818
0
lol what a joke
returnofthesaith
2
dey play 😀
rokcdklosu
2
good luck 🤞
SHUMBAH
1
kindly stop this nonsense please please
SHUMBAH
4
kindly stop this nonsense please, please
Pomalmopz
0
Jesus has nothing to offer in exchange of starting lineup. Raphina is a GEM