Prior to eight years ago, Gabriel Jesus was honing his artistic abilities while daydreaming of football stardom

The now 25-year-old Arsenal acquisition was photographed as a teenager in Sao Paulo, Brazil, adorning the streets of his neighborhood in preparation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

A year later, an ambitious Jesus had already established himself as one of the most promising talents in his country and was making waves at Palmeiras.

The striker had already completed a spectacular transfer to Europe with Manchester City by the end of 2016, and on his international debut, he contributed to the team’s tally with two goals. All of this occurred by age 19.

As a result of his meteoric ascension and subsequent performances for City, Pep Guardiola referred to Jesus as “the best in the world.”

Dreams can come true

At the age of seventeen, while playing for the junior team of Palmeiras, Jesus was photographed carrying a paintbrush and adorning the thoroughfares of Sao Paulo.

It was a component of a local initiative to get the populace in the mood for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which the nation was hosting.

As a result, Jesus enthusiastically expanded his brushstrokes to his Jardim Peri neighborhood, which was notorious for its deplorable living conditions.

Jesus has shown his respect for his former favela through a tattoo depicting a young child carrying a football while gazing back at it.

It was on gravel pitches, where he honed his football abilities in what the locals refer to as the “Varzea” style.

From the ages of eight to fourteen, his commitment to his profession was evident at the Pequeninos do Meio Ambiente football club, located in the adjacent city of Tremembe.

Due to financial constraints, he would endure a one-and-a-half-hour walk to training every Saturday while donning worn-out football footwear and flip-flops. The bus fare was beyond his means. Possibly because of that eight-mile round-trip journey, he has developed into the tireless and diligent player that he is today.

Jesus was raised by his mother, Vera, who has diligently supervised him ever since he rose to prominence.

Shortly after his birth, his father passed away, and in order to provide for her four children, she worked three jobs while also recognizing Jesus’ prowess with a ball.

Jesus remаins eternally cognizant of her tribulation. Additionally, he honors his mother with his signature phone call celebration after each touchdown.