Fifa
He was busy painting the streets during 2014 World Cup.
Updated : Jun 18, 2018, 01:20 AM IST
When Brazil was playing in 2014 World Cup he was busy painting the streets of Sao Paulo. On Sunday, Gabriel Jesus started in Brazil's opening match of the 2018 World Cup against Switzerland.
The 21-year-old led the Brazil attack with experienced campaigners like Neymar and Willian.
He has also impressed everyone in his stint with Premier League champions Manchester City. At Manchester City, he has been outstanding in his debut season, scoring 24 times in 53 appearances across competitions.
Jesus began his career at local club Palmeiras where he rose through the ranks before making a move to England.
He grew up in Sao Paulo's Jardim Peri area where he used to paint on streets before making it big in football. Pictures from 2014 of a 17-year-old Gabriel Jesus, brush in hand, helping to paint the street where he lived have been all over the social media.
Gabriel Jesus painting the streets for the 2014 #WorldCup in Brazil.
— City Watch (@City_Watch) June 17, 2018
The boy who dreamed... pic.twitter.com/adrBJeEe2W
Now his face is being painted across the nation. A 112-foot tall mural of Jesus's iconic goal celebration is rising above his hometown in Sao Paolo, where thousands of kids dream of following in their hero's footsteps.
His Premier League club Manchester City posted a video showing how much has changed in the four years:
A lot can change in four years... #mancity pic.twitter.com/sS4NMy9leG
— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 3, 2018
Jesus played in the famous No. 9 role with Neymar and Willian flanking him against Switzerland. Philippe Coutinho played deeper behind him.
Bring on the third match!
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 17, 2018
Here are the teams for #BRASUI pic.twitter.com/F47sxiT4wm
A lot can chage in four years, indeed.