Jesus could win Ballon d’Or within 3 years at Man City, says former coach

Manchester City’s teenage Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus will win the Ballon d’Or within three years at the club, according to one of his former coaches.

Jesus, a £27 million capture from Palmeiras, will join up with Pep Guardiola’s squad on January 2. He already has four goals in six appearances for the national team.

Now, Jose Francisco Mamede, a coach at Jesus’ first club, Pequeninos do Meio Ambiente Sao Paulo, believes the young striker will capitalise on Messi getting “a bit old” in three years’ time to take the top prize.

“Gabriel came from a very poor neighbourhood and that’s why he’s not afraid,” Mamede said.  “He will adapt to the food, to the cold in Manchester and everything else.

Photo by Friedemann Vogel/Getty Images

“In three years he’ll win the Ballon d’Or, because Messi will already be getting a bit old. From the very first training session, we saw he was different.

“He never lacked anything. He’d be the first to do the exercises. He was always determined to be a professional.”

Jesus has also attracted huge praise from Brazil legend Pele, who says the forward is the best player his country boasts.

“Right now, he’s the best player we have,” he said. “I think he can improve a lot still.

“Mainly, he will get more experience with international games. He will get more experience now, as he will play in Europe. Football there is harder, so he will still grow a lot.”