Brazil boss Tite hits back at claims Gabriel Jesus was ALREADY injured before the World Cup

Brazil boss Tite has strenuously denied claims that Gabriel Jesus was already injured before heading to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup. 

Jesus was ruled out of the rest of the World Cup on Saturday after picking up a knee injury while representing Brazil in their final group game against Cameroon.

The 25-year-old could spend up to three months on the sidelines as a result of his injury and some are claiming Tite is partially responsible. 

It has been reported that Jesus had picked up an injury prior to the World Cup, but the Brazil boss decided to select him anyway. 

However, Tite has hit back at those reports, claiming that never would have happened because it is against his ‘ethics’.

The Brazil boss said: ‘These liars, the haters, keep spreading lies. Go take care of something else and stop planting lies. 

‘We have responsibility and ethics. That was never going to happen.’

Jesus was ruled out of the rest of the World Cup on Saturday after picking up a knee injury

The 25-year-old could spend up to three months on the sidelines as a result of his injury

Tite went on to add: ‘We are ethical. We are very sorry for Gabriel. But this never happened.’ 

Jesus started in Brazil’s 1-0 defeat by Cameroon on Friday, but was substituted in the second half after struggling to make an impact on the game.

It was the 25-year-old’s first start of the tournament after two substitute appearances in the wins over Serbia and Switzerland.

Jesus – who has scored five goals in 20 games for Arsenal after joining from Manchester City for £45million – is said to have picked up a knee injury during Brazil’s final group game. 

He will miss the rest of the tournament in Qatar and could be sidelined for up to three months. 

This would come as a major blow for Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side as they are pushing to win the Premier League title. 

Mikel Arteta will be disappointed to hear Jesus has picked up an injury as he is looking to win the Premier League with Arsenal this season

Jesus has been pictured flying home from Qatar (above) – leaving the Brazil squad ahead of their last-16 clash with South Korea on Monday

Jesus has been pictured flying home from Qatar – leaving the Brazil squad ahead of their last-16 clash with South Korea on Monday. 

Jesus was seen holding his daughter while relaxing on the plane. The 25-year-old appeared to be in good spirits despite his injury. 

The forward will return to Arsenal in the coming days to begin his rehab programme with the North London club.