3. Gabriel Jesus
There are few shirts more iconic than Brazil’s number 9, now occupied, after something of a barren run, by Gabriel Jesus, who has the potential to become the selecao‘s best center forward since Ronaldo. Jesus wasn’t a guaranteed starter for Manchester City this season, but was productive, scoring 17 goals in 38 appearances in the league and Champions League.
Pep Guardiola clearly likes what the Brazilian has to offer, namely, superb finishing, skill in tight spaces, the ability to stretch a defense and excellent link-up play. His recent game-winning goals against Germany and Southampton (to clinch City’s 100-point season) help demonstrate why Brazil are favorites to win the tournament.
In Russia, he’s likely to line up alongside Neymar and Philippe Coutinho in Brazil’s front line. Those are as creative and intelligent a pair of players as any center forward could hope to play with, and in a group with Switzerland, Serbia and Costa Rica, Jesus has the potential to contend for the Golden Boot.
Some have questioned Brazil manager Tite’s decision to use Jesus instead of the more accomplished (at least at club level) Roberto Firmino, just as they’ve questioned Guardiola’s apparent preference for Jesus over Sergio Aguero, but it’s only a matter of time before the 21-year-old is firmly established as one of the best players in the game.