2018 FIFA World Cup | Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus issues statement following exit

Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus has reacted to his country’s disappointing exit from the 2018 FIFA World Cup at the hands of Belgium, calling on his compatriots to build from this setback to emerge even stronger in the years to come.

The Manchester City forward led the line for Tite’s men, but had a poor showing in Russia as despite starting all five of their games, could not find the back of the net even once.

A sole assist is all he had to show for his efforts at his maiden World Cup as the Samba Boys crashed out in the last-eight.

And the 21-year-old posted this on Instagram in the wee hours of Monday morning:

Um trabalho incrível, de muita dedicação e alegria! Uma família que se formou ao longo desses dois anos, mas parecendo que estávamos há muito mais tempo juntos. Sempre com muita união, seriedade, honestidade e TRABALHO! Mas como sempre, nada nessa vida é fácil! Imagina que louco seria se tudo fosse perfeito e se tudo que quiséssemos, acontecesse. Teríamos o mundo ideal. E, infelizmente, ele não existe! Não tenho palavras pra descrever a sensação de representar e defender o meu país. Uma honra! Embora o resultado não tenha sido da maneira que gostaríamos ou como nós brasileiros estamos acostumados, coloquei muita vontade e coração sempre! A derrota é muito doída. Mas o esporte te ensina que essa mesma derrota serve para você tirar lições, amadurecer e buscar melhorar sempre. E é isso que farei. O futebol não te dá tempo de ficar feliz demais ou triste por muito tempo, mas ele te ensina que do mesmo jeito que a derrota vem a vitória também virá! Agradeço a todo Brasil por sempre acreditar no nosso futebol e sempre torcer e nos apoiar. Eu tenho muito orgulho de ser brasileiro. E como brasileiros, não desistimos nunca!

A post shared by Gabriel Jesus (@dejesusoficial) on Jul 8, 2018 at 1:58pm PDT

The post, when translated, read:

‘An amazing job, a lot of dedication and joy! A family that formed over these two years. but looking like were together a lot longer. Always with a lot of union, seriousness, honest and work! But as always, nothing in this life is easy!

Imagine how crazy it would be if everything was perfect and if anything we wanted, it happened. We would have the ideal world. And unfortunately it doesn’t exist!

I have no words to describe the feeling of representing and defending my country. An honour!

Although the result was not the way we would like or as Brazilians are accustomed, I put a lot of will and heart always!

Defeat is very sore. But the sport teaches you that this same defeat serves you to take lessons, mature and seek to improve always.

And that’s what I’ll do. Football doesn’t give you time to be too happy or sad for a long time, but he teaches you that the same way defeat comes victory will also come!

I thank Brazil for always believing in our football and alway cheering and supporting us. I am very proud to be a Brazilian. And as Brazilians, we will never give up!”

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Jesus will have a short period of rest before linking up with City as the 2018/19 Premier League season nears.

The Sky Blues, defending champions, travel to the Emirates to take on Arsenal on Matchday 1.