Attention World, Igor Jesus is Coming

Igor Jesus is exploding at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

But Igor Jesus - the Botafogo striker - did it. Not just once, but twice in a row. Two matches, two goals, two Man of the Match awards. And especially the goal against PSG - the Champions League champions - as confirmation that he did not come to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ to be a background.

One goal, one statement

Against PSG, Jesus didn't need much space. Just one moment was enough to make the whole world turn their heads: running between two central defenders, threading the needle through his opponent to create space, then finishing coolly into the bottom corner.

The celebration, with his arms outstretched, standing on the advertising board amid a sea of black and white Botafogo flags, looked like a manga character about to transform into a god. For Jesus, it was more than just a goal – it was a declaration: “I’m ready for the big stage.”

The nickname "Sapinho" - meaning "Little Frog" - may make many people laugh. But behind that name is a story with Japanese cartoon colors. Some say that Jesus' grandfather called him that because he used to be a small but agile goalkeeper. Others say that his head was too big for his small body when he was a child. But Jesus himself told more about his childhood when he skipped school to watch Dragon Ball Z , about the times he imitated Goku's Kamehameha move by pinching his wrists and stretching his arms like the current celebration.

Now, every goal is a new episode, where "Frog" steps out of the virtual world to become a real hero of the football field.

Igor Jesus has scored 2 goals at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Not a prodigy, not a rising star from an early age, Igor Jesus' career started quietly at Coritiba. He was the foundation for the team to be promoted at the age of 18, but before he could prove himself in Serie A, he moved to the UAE to play for Shabab Al-Ahli - a destination that many people considered a "vacation".

However, four years in the Middle East helped him mature. 46 goals in 92 games - not bad at all - were the luggage for Jesus to return to Brazil, to wear Botafogo's shirt in July 2024. And here, "The Frog" became a dragon: leading the attack, winning the domestic double (Serie A and Copa Libertadores), scoring in his debut for the Brazilian national team, and now the biggest highlight at the 2025 Club World Cup.

Not tall but can jump

At 24 and 1.78m tall, Jesus doesn't have a huge physique. But he makes up for it with his jumping power, aerial ability and solid technical foundation. Against PSG - a match in which Botafogo had only 25.3% possession - he still had the third most touches on the team, contested the most duels and constantly caused trouble for the opposition defence. Against Seattle he was even more impressive: he won 6/7 aerial duels and scored with his head - despite his modest height.

Jesus' style of play is a blend of South American mentality and Premier League combativeness. He can wall, he can sprint, and most importantly: he always finds a way into the goal.

Igor Jesus could move to the Premier League.

It's no surprise that Nottingham Forest have been keeping tabs on Jesus for some time. A dynamic, independent forward, strong in the tackle and versatile in his goalscoring ability - Igor Jesus is the ideal centre-forward for the demanding environment of the Premier League. Compared to Chris Wood, he offers more pace, versatility and long-term development potential.

Just three weeks after PSG beat Inter Milan in the Champions League final, they fell to a South American “Frog”. The moment Jesus nutmegged Willian Pacho and beat Donnarumma on the global stage was a foreshadowing: his next leap would be to Europe.

Or rather - nicknamed “Frog” - it will be a light jump… but full of weight.

Source: https://znews.vn/the-gioi-chu-y-igor-jesus-dang-toi-post1563023.html