Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has admitted he can still improve after being left out of the most recent Brazil squad.
The former Manchester City player played a number of World Cup qualifiers for the Selecao and scored his 19th international goal in a friendly win over South Korea in June. However, he failed to make Tite’s squad for the final break before Qatar 2022, with Premier League stars Roberto Firmino and Richarlison ahead of him.
Jesus, who has 56 caps for his country, has made his mark for Arsenal this season with four goals. The £45m man still feels there is more to come and revealed he has spoken to his national team manager following the omission.
The 25-year-old was on target again on Sunday, scoring Arsenal’s second goal in their 3-0 win over Brentford. He was asked about his international chances after the match, with club-mates Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes also absent despite losing summer friendlies against South Korea and Japan.
“There was (contact), after the call yes,” Gabriel Jesus told ESPN Brasil (via Sport Witness ). “I very much respect the coach’s decision, I respect Tite, the whole team.
“As I said, I am Brazilian, I will always support the team. And I also respect other players who have great quality. I will do everything in my power to get another opportunity.”
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“What I have control over is my performance. I will always try to give my best, to finish the games,” continued the striker. “I had some chances today that I could also improve a little, I know. I trained and tried to do my best.”
Gabriel Jesus was part of Brazil’s 2018 World Cup squad as they reached the quarter-finals, starting all five matches. He was also involved when Tite’s side won the 2019 Copa America, scoring in both the semi-final and final.
While the striker scored just 13 times for Manchester City last season – his lowest total of a season for the club – things have picked up since his big move to north London. He scored twice on his home debut against Leicester City in August, added further goals against Aston Villa and Brentford and also has three assists in eight games for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
Brazil qualified at the top of the South American World Cup preliminary round table, going unbeaten and conceding just five times in 17 matches. They will face Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon in their World Cup group in Qatar, with their first group game on November 24.
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