Brazil star Ronaldo has sent a heartwarming - if slightly bizarre - message to Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus following the striker's injury that will see him sidelined for months. The 25-year-old sustained damage to his knee in his nation's World Cup group stage game against Cameroon.
It led to him being substituted and further scans were taken to find the cause of the injury and the full time scale. The initial reports suggested that it would be a few weeks to end his World Cup campaign, although weeks soon turned into months after official confirmation.
Jesus returned to London swiftly after, undergoing surgery on his knee and is now on crutches as the recovery period begins. “If there was a timeline and I could see you and tell you something, I would say 'Gabriel, you are a winner'," the striker said of himself on social media in wake of the news. "Thanks to all who sent messages of support and love!”
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A Brazilian legend in Ronaldo has also had his say with a show of support to Jesus after the news broke on his injury and need for surgery.
A detailed Instagram post read: "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.
“The boy did the impossible. The ‘impossible’ extraordinary. He left the Peri Garden to conquer the world. He won several titles, was scorer, Copa America champion and decisive in the first achievement of the Tite era. Olympic champion, fundamental in Brazil’s Gold. All his very new.
“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!”
It's a huge message of support for the forward in what is undoubtedly a difficult time, missing out on the biggest stage of all as well as the progression of a great start to the Premier League with Arsenal.
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