Ronaldo sends powerful message to injured Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus

Brazil legend Ronaldo has slammed critics of Gabriel Jesus in a powerful message to the Arsenal star as he recovers from his World Cup-ending injury.

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Jesus picked up a serious knee injury in Brazil’s final group game in Qatar, a 1-0 loss to Cameroon, and was later ruled out of the rest of the tournament.

The 25-year-old forward subsequently underwent surgery on Tuesday and while the Gunners have been reluctant to put a timescale on his rehabilitation, he is expected to be out for up to three months at least.

It’s a huge blow for his club and country, as Jesus was enjoying a great first season at the Emirates with Arsenal five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

He has however received a lot of criticism for not scoring enough, with the loss to Cameroon extending his goalless run to 14 games.

Jesus has many defenders though, not least ‘The Phenomenon’ himself Ronaldo who posted a lengthy and quite moving tribute to his compatriot on Instagram.

The two-time World Cup winner wrote: ‘Criticism can either be constructive or destructive in one’s life. Words have the power to lift up and tear down.

‘Sometimes the same ones that boost one discourage another. Therefore, it is important to be careful what we say. But, above all, what we listen to.

‘We can’t control what others will say, and will live in dark times of normalisation of hate speech. But we can filter what comes into our ears. Let your self-image, Gabriel Jesus, not be based on what others say.

‘May you never forget where you came from because the boy who had the dream of being a player didn’t take an easy path, full of opportunities and privileges.

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‘The boy did the impossible. The ‘impossible’ extraordinary. He left the Peri Garden to conquer the world. He won several titles, Copa America champion and was decisive in the first achievement of the Tite era. Olympic champion, fundamental in Brazil’s Gold.

‘He’s the Brazilian with the highest averaging goals in Premier League history. While many insist on comparing trajectories to disqualify an athlete, I’m here today to remind you that your story is unique.

‘You came to the national team with a lot of merit and I hope you still shine bright with your football. May you overcome what needs to be overcome, may you face what needs to be faced, may you continue to believe in your dreams because they are the ones that brought you here. Get well soon!’

A Jesus-less Arsenal return to competitive action on Boxing Day against West Ham, while Brazil have made it to the World Cup quarter-finals where they will face Croatia on Friday.

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