Ronaldo has praised Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus with an incredible 200+ word message on Instagram to the recently-injured player.
The 25-year-old’s World Cup hopes ended with a knee injury suffered against Cameroon during the group stages – and now he faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Given that Jesus had a chance to help Brazil secure World Cup glory for the first time since 2002, added to the fact that Mikel Arteta’s side are sitting at the top of the Premier League table, then this recent setback is one that would have been very hard to take because he was at the top of his game.
But there is probably nothing more uplifting than receiving a message of support from one of your idols and one of your nation’s greatest-ever players – Ronaldo The Phenomenon.
Well, that’s exactly what has happened as R9 has reminded Jesus of the difficult path he has been on to get where he is, what great things he has achieved and how he should shut off criticism and be proud of what he has done.
This was his message in full: “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 we live in dark times of normalisation of hate speech. 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. The boy did the impossible. The ‘impossible’ extraordinary. He left the Peri Garden to conquer the world.
“He won several titles, was scorer, Copa America champion and decisive in the first achievement of the Tite era. Olympic champion, fundamental in Brazil’s Gold. All this very new.
“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, and may you continue to believe in your dreams because they are the ones that brought you here. Get well soon!”
JESUS IS IN GOOD SPIRITS
The Arsenal summer signing’s girlfriend uploaded a video of the player being upbeat, walking on sticks and singing after his successful surgery on Tuesday (as you can watch here).
Even though there is a worry that he could be out for the long term, he is still upbeat about the whole situation – and that’s the mindset that’s needed.
Well, this recent message from Ronaldo will only take him to cloud nine and ensure his rehabilitation programme takes place with a big smile on his face.
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