After spending one month out with the Olympic national team, Gabriel Jesus has finally returned to Palmeiras. The attacker, who now has a golden medal, gave a press conference on Tuesday, where he and his teammates talked about the transfer to Manchester City.
“As I always say, my head is at Palmeiras, just like it was at the national team,” Jesus said.
“I got back today, I trained hard, I gave my maximum to continue my work here. My head is here. I’m a Palmeiras player and I only think of Palmeiras.”
“Independently of any situation, I’ll give my maximum. In the training today, I challenged strongly. I make slide tackles. I love Palmeiras, the club who opened the doors to me. You can be calm about my behaviour, which will always be the same. I will always give my maximum and play with love for the club.”
Palmeiras goalkeeper Fernando Prass also had his say on the transfer: “It’s not a regular business. It will be good for Gabriel, for Palmeiras and for Manchester City,” said the 38-year-old, who was called up for the Olympics but missed the tournament due to an injury a few days before the start of the games.
“Manchester, when they get him in January, will get a more evolved player, Olympic champion, Brazilian champion if God wants, and already with some World Cup qualifier matches played, which is a very good experience for him.”
Gabriel played the Olympics on the left-wing, which is a different position from what he’s being played for Palmeiras lately. The club manager Cuca also commented on it: “Playing as a nine, he stayed all this time out and is still the league’s top scorer. He’s a player who can play on the wings, but as a nine he’s been a top scorer.”
Gabriel was asked about the change of roles too: “I used to play on the wing before Cuca was the manager, he gave me another position, I’m available for him. Wherever he needs, I’ll play. I have no preference.”
The wonderkid missed six fixtures during his time out, and like Cuca said, he’s still the league’s top scorer with 10 goals. The deal between Manchester City and Palmeiras says he’s joining the English club in January.
