Alejandro Moreno has reacted to suggestions that there have been ‘complaints’ about Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus being picked in Brazil’s squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as he told ESPN.
It was put to the former Venezuela international that Flamengo star Pedro Guilherme – who has been named in Tite’s 26-man squad – is ‘very much the man at the moment’ because he was the top-scorer in Brazil’s equivalent of the Champions League this season.
Nonetheless, whilst Jesus is selected, Liverpool forward, Roberto Firmino, has been left out, despite the 55-cap international scoring six goals and supplying three assists this term.
Nonetheless, whilst England will take centre stage on Thursday regarding who Gareth Southgate selects for his squad, there is some debate in Brazil already after their final 26 was confirmed.
Moreno pointed out that the reason why someone like Pedro is getting more love than Jesus is that he is performing in Brazil right now so it’s ‘right next to you’, as he named his starting forward line for their opening game against Serbia.
“I would say Vinny (Vinicius Jr), Gabriel Jesus, Raphinha on the right and Neymar just wondering and hanging around those three,” said Moreno.
ESPN host Dan Thomas added: “People in Brazil were complaining about Gabriel Jesus being called up. He’s not liked as much as other players are, which is interesting, because, from our perspective, we have seen what he’s done at Arsenal. He’s very impressive. But Pedro is very much the man at the moment. Shining in the Brazilian league.”
Moreno responded: “What you just said there ‘shining in the Brazilian league’. That’s what you see immediately, it’s right next to you.”
JESUS REWARDED
Arsenal’s summer signing might be on a little goal drought, but it shouldn’t hide the performances he has been putting up for Mikel Arteta’s side of late.
As he proved during Arsenal’s win over Chelsea, he is doing a lot of things right, other than putting the ball into the back of the net.
He’s not expected to start for Tite against Serbia, with the likes of Neymar, Richarlison, Raphinha, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr all ahead of him.
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