Brazilian legend Ronaldo sends moving message of support to Gabriel Jesus

‘That boy did the impossible’: Brazilian legend Ronaldo sends moving message of support to Gabriel Jesus after critics blast his goalless run – as the Arsenal striker recovers from World Cup-ending injury

  • Gabriel Jesus suffered a World Cup-ending injury against Cameroon last week
  • Arsenal confirmed that the Brazilian striker had undergone successful surgery 
  • The 25-year-old has faced many critics due to an extended run without scoring 
  • Brazilian legend Ronaldo praised the striker’s ‘unique’ story and wished him well 

Brazilian legend Ronaldo has sent Gabriel Jesus a moving message of support after the Arsenal star continued to face criticism over his lack of goals.

It comes after Jesus saw his World Cup dream come crashing down after picking up a serious knee injury in Brazil’s final group game against Cameroon last Friday.

The Arsenal star was forced off just after the hour mark in a game which Brazil would go on to suffer a humiliating 1-0 loss to the African nation – although it had little consequence as they still topped Group G.

Brazilian legend Ronaldo has sent Gabriel Jesus a moving message of support as he recovers from injury

The Arsenal star has endured a tough run of form, failing to find the net 14 games in a row now

The Arsenal star has endured a tough run of form, failing to find the net 14 games in a row now

The 25-year-old striker was later ruled out the rest of the tournament and underwent ‘successful’ surgery on Tuesday, according to Arsenal. 

It’s understood Arsenal are hopeful that the damage is not too serious, with Brazil initially indicating Jesus could face three months out.  

Despite Jesus starting well at Arsenal, he has had several critics with many bringing to attention the fact that his goalless run was extended to 14 games,  after he failed to score against Cameroon.

But there could be few better people to come to Jesus’s rescue than the two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo.

Taking to Instagram, he said: ‘Criticism can either be constructive or destructive in one’s life. Words have the power to lift up and tear down – sometimes the same ones that boost one discourage another. 

‘Therefore, it is important to be careful what we say. But, above all, what we listen to. We can’t control what others will say, and will live in dark times of normalisation of hate speech.

Ronaldo wrote a long moving message on his Instagram, saying 'That boy did the impossible'

Ronaldo wrote a long moving message on his Instagram, saying ‘That boy did the impossible’

Jesus was forced off with a serious knee injury in Brazil's final group game against Cameroon

Jesus was forced off with a serious knee injury in Brazil’s final group game against Cameroon

‘But we can filter what comes into our ears. Let your self-image, Gabriel Jesus, not be based on what others say.

‘May you never forget where you came from because the boy who had the dream of being a player didn’t take an easy path, full of opportunities and privileges.

‘That boy did the impossible. The ‘impossible’ extraordinary. He left the Peri Garden to conquer the world. He won several titles, Copa America champion and was decisive in the first achievement of the Tite era. Olympic champion, fundamental in Brazil’s Gold.

‘He’s the Brazilian with the highest averaging goals in Premier League history. While many insist on comparing trajectories to disqualify an athlete, I’m here today to remind you that your story is unique.

‘You came to the national team with a lot of merit and I hope you still shine bright with your football. May you overcome what needs to be overcome, may you face what needs to be faced, may you continue to believe in your dreams because they are the ones that brought you here. Get well soon!’ 

Arsenal will return to action without Jesus on Boxing Day against West Ham. The striker will also be watching on from the sidelines as his country takes on Croatia in the quarter-finals of the World Cup on Friday.

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