Any snippets the footballing public has been fed of Brazil’s training camp thus far appear to paint a picture of a squad at ease with itself and even prone to larking around, which was no better communicated than a Neymar-led flouring and egging of childhood friend Philippe Coutinho to mark the Barcelona midfielder’s birthday this week.
However, as striker Gabriel Jesus will tell you, the mood in the Seleção camp is far from serene. “As much as I’ve been able to make my debut [at the World Cup], tranquil it isn’t” began the Manchester City striker. ”In the case of the World Cup, the biggest tournament we have in football, of course it brings anxiety. But I’ll try to be calm” he told gathered press on Thursday.
To achieve this, the 20-year-old is counting on the more experienced players among Brazil’s number. “Everyone talks, they all pass on their experiences and help, because it’s very important. More than a team, we have to be a family, because we’ll face a World Cup together in search of winning it” affirmed the number 9 while stressing the importance of the collective. “Our focus is to play for the group and I believe that if the group plays well, the individuals will show up.”
Though he’d hope to repeat the highs of his maiden outing for Brazil against Ecuador in 2016 during the CONMEBOL qualifying group, which saw him bag a brace, Jesus remains coy on becoming the first Brazilian since Ronaldo in 2002 to win the Golden Boot. “It’s difficult to cite names for the top scorer because there are many players with this possibility” pointed out Jesus. “Of course it’d be good to be the top scorer. I’m here to score goals, but my target is another. My focus is on helping the team in any way whether that’s with goals, assists, or even with affection. I want to help and being top scorer is just a consequence” he stressed.
But don’t think that doesn’t mean the former Palmeiras man isn’t intent on going down in Brazilian folklore. “I want to put my name in the history of Brazil. But we have to recognise our idols, the references. All of them are cheering for us also to have our names guarded [in the history books]. I don’t want to erase the name of anybody, I want to put ours [there].” Jesus beamed before again being pressed on his positional rivalry with Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino.
“I’ve already been asked about this and I'll try to make it as clear as possible: to have two centre-forwards who can be starters, and also in other positions, is a benefit" Jesus said. "It's healthy competition that is able to help us evolve and provide an opportunity for all.”
But indeed it is Jesus who will be given the nod against Switzerland on Sunday and for a young man memorably photographed honouring a traditional Brazilian pastime by painting his street green and yellow for the last World Cup, this time round he will lead his country’s front line with the weight of an expectant nation on his shoulders and all the pressure that comes with it.
