Striker Gabriel Jesus talked about the injury inflicted by teammate Nicolas Otamendi in the international friendly between Brazil and Argentina.
Jesus, seen by many Manchester City fans as the team’s big hope for next season, sustained the injury in a clash with Argentine defender Otamendi, who also plays for City in the EPL. The Argentine elbowed the striker in the face, leading to a fractured eye socket.
Naturally, City fans were none too pleased about the matter and displayed their dissatisfaction on social media. Despite Jesus sustaining the injury and having to be taken off the field, he defended his teammate. It seems the Brazilian is not holding onto to any grudges over the incident.
“There was no bad intention. It was a very normal challenge, it was not deliberate. His arm came down in a normal way and unfortunately, I was on my way up. We were shocked. But there were no bad intentions on his part,” the player tells SporTV.
“We talked afterward in the dressing room and he sent me a message. He is a good guy. These things are part of the game and he did not do anything bad.”
Jesus’ injury may have cost Brazil in the offensive department as the team failed to score. Old rivals Argentina went on to win the game by a narrow 1-0 scoreline. Although only a friendly, fans will hope the victory will boost morale for the Argentine players. The team is currently fifth in the South American qualifiers group and in some danger of losing out on the 2018 World Cup.
Brazil is due to play another friendly on Tuesday against the slightly less reputable national team of Australia. Gabriel Jesus is to miss the game. The striker will be heading home to Brazil to undergo further medical examinations before returning to Manchester.
“We do not know the exact extent yet, but it is nothing to worry about,” the player says.“If I have to undergo surgery, then so be it. After my holiday, I will return to Manchester at 100 per cent.”
The 20-year-old arrived at City in a transfer that brought him over from Brazil’s Palmeiras. He wasted no time in making an impression for the team and fans quickly started viewing him as a player destined for the first eleven. Regretfully, the striker sustained an injury early on that kept him away from the field for much of the season. he was back in the team in the last part of the campaign. With plenty of talent on display in his brief time at City, expectations are high for the 2017-18 season.
