Botafogo standout, Igor Jesus, ex-Coxa, will be a member of the national team

The attacker Igor Jesus Botafogo’s highlight in the current season, will have his first opportunity as a starter in the Brazilian team this Thursday (10). The 23-year-old player will be the main offensive reference in the duel with Chile, scheduled for 9pm, in Santiago.

The choice of Igor Jesus for the attack was surprising, especially as he overtook the young promise Endrick, from Real Madrid, who had been tipped to take over the position.

“What I see is that Igor’s moment is very interesting. Endrick is still naturally seeking to get to know his club. For this moment, Igor’s experience and moment is different. The presence of this profile could be important for a game of this size in this instant”, said coach Dorival Júnior.

Igor Jesus sold at a “banana” price

Revealed in the youth categories of Coritiba Igor Jesus took his first steps in football at the club from Paraná. His debut with the professional team took place in 2019, at the age of 18, and, over two seasons, he played 56 games, scoring seven goals and contributing two assists.

In 2020, at the age of 19, Igor Jesus was traded to Al Ahli, from the United Arab Emirates, for US$2 million (around R$11 million at the time). The transfer was considered modest, especially when compared to the potential that the player would demonstrate in the following years.

There were four seasons in the Middle East, with highlights being the first, in which he scored 21 goals in 40 matches, and the last, scoring 17 goals in 25 games.

With the end of the contract with Al-Ahli, the Coritiba no longer has half of the striker’s economic rights, as agreed with the team in 2020. Botafogo signed the striker, as Igor Jesus was at the end of his contract with the Arab team.

Highlight in Botafogo and unprecedented call-up

His return to Brazilian football happened in style, wearing the Botafogo shirt. Igor Jesus quickly became one of the main players of the Rio team, being a key player in Fogão’s good campaigns in the Brasileirão and Libertadores.

To date, Igor Jesus has scored seven goals in 19 games for the Rio club and managed to be called up for the Brazilian team for the first time.