5 Potential Candidates for the FIFA Young Player Award 2018

Gabriel Jesus - Brazil

Gabriel Jesus's journey to the world cup is not less than a Cinderella story. Born and raised in the favelas of Sao Paolo, Jesus has samba in his veins. From painting the streets in the last world cup to dawning the iconic yellow and blue attire- Jesus has come a long way.

Jesus's talent was recognized at the age of 15 where he joined his hometown club Palmeiras as a hot youth prospect. He was then promoted to the first team in a couple of years with impressive performances in the youth academy. He then generated a stir in the whole country by scoring 28 goals in 2 seasons winning the Copa do Brazil and Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A in the process. Jesus later was called up by the Selecao for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro where he led his country to an Olympic Gold Medal.

In January 2017, he joined Manchester City for a commendable fee of £33 million and had an immediate impact on the squad by scoring 7 goals in 11 matches. Under Guardiola, he has been improving his game every day which has been exhibited in performances in the record-breaking victory of the Citizens last season.

With his pace, movement, dribbling, and finishing, Jesus is a textbook definition of a Brazilian forward and would look forward to Russia to start the journey to be a football legend.