Gabriel Jesus scores a brace and is now top scorer in Brazil
Gabriel Jesus is knocking heavily at the doors of FC Barcelona. The 'menino prodigio' (prodigious youngster) as he is known, is going through a purple patch for Palmeiras, and at his tender age of 19, is making the difference in the Brasileirao league.
On Thursday night, he again shone, scoring two goals in the convincing 4-0 victory of the 'Verdao' against Figueirense. The young forward is showing he can handle the pressure surrounding him at the moment perfectly well.
His best goalscoring streak, of five goals in his last three games, have coincided with the exclusive news broken by SPORT about Barça's interest in him, and the visit of the club's director of football Raul Sanllehi to see him play at the Allianz Parque in Sao Paulo.
Gabriel Jesus is now the top goalscorer in the Brazilian league, with nine goals in the first 12 matchdays. His performances have been integral in the rise of the team managed by Cuca to the top of the table. They have a three point lead over their big rivals Corinthians.
In the first six months of 2016, the Barça target has scored 18 goals in 30 official games with his team.
His versatility (he played on the left wing after Paraguayan Lucas Barrios came on), his tracking back defensively and his collective play were overshadowed yet again by his deadliness in the area, where he really benefits from his sharp finishing ability.
In the two goals he scored, he anticipated balls ahead of his markers, the first being a near-post header following a cross by veteran Ze Roberto, and the second a right-footed strike after a late run into the area.
The player left the pitch to an ovation from the Palmeiras fans, who are aware that the footballer has helped them change their fortunes, after a decade in which they were going nowhere, and they now dream of the Brasileirao title.
