Brazil legend Ronaldo believes that Gabriel Jesus is one of the best strikers in the world, and World Cup goals will come for him.

Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus reacts as he sits on the bench during the UEFA Europa League Group A football match between Arsenal and Bodoe/Glimt at The Arsenal Stadium in London, on October 6, 2022. (Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus reacts as he sits on the bench during the UEFA Europa League Group A football match between Arsenal and Bodoe/Glimt at The Arsenal Stadium in London, on October 6, 2022. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus is with Brazil at the World Cup this month, but there’s plenty of media speculation around his call-up and participation with the national team.

Jesus was a regular starter at the last World Cup in 2018, when he’d just turned 21, but he ended the tournament with one assist and no goals.

With Brazil crashing out in the quarter-finals to Belgium, Jesus’ failure to score earned him plenty of criticism.

The striker’s two goals and two assists in the Copa America semi-final and final the next year – as Brazil lifted the trophy – certainly helped to restore his reputation. But his only Brazil goal since that final was in a summer friendly against South Korea.

With so few goals for Brazil lately, Jesus has lost his starting spot with his country. But legendary striker Ronaldo believes the Arsenal man is still one of the world’s best, and the goals will come.

“Gabriel [Jesus] today is one of the best strikers in the world and much more mature than in 2018,” Ronaldo said. “The goals will come naturally and this concern should not cross his mind. All he has to do is get on the field and do what he knows how to do.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League group A match between Arsenal FC and FK Bodo/Glimt at Emirates Stadium on October 06, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League group A match between Arsenal FC and FK Bodo/Glimt at Emirates Stadium on October 06, 2022. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

There’s talk that Jesus will start alongside Gabriel Martinelli in Brazil’s final group game at the World Cup on Friday, handing him his first spot in the lineup in 2022.

If he could cap the appearance with a goal, perhaps that would help to shake off the critics and break back into the starting side.