Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus appears to be preparing for an exciting new chapter in his career after moving closer to a transfer to Barcelona, a step that could provide the Catalan club with an attacking addition combining experience and the ability to perform in major matches. ⚽🔥
The Brazilian striker has attracted Barcelona’s interest as the club looks to increase its attacking options, benefiting from the experience he gained during his previous spells with Manchester City and Arsenal.
However, one of the most notable aspects of Jesus’ career is his record against Real Madrid. He has faced the Spanish giants four times, scoring three goals and providing one assist, while winning three of those encounters and suffering only one defeat.
Those numbers give Jesus a valuable psychological advantage ahead of a potential move to Barcelona, particularly because facing Real Madrid in a Barcelona shirt would be a completely different challenge and could give him the opportunity to turn his previous experience against Los Blancos into a new weapon in El Clasico.
The Story Began at Santiago Bernabeu
Gabriel Jesus made his first major impact against Real Madrid during the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 in the 2019-2020 season, when Manchester City faced the Spanish giants at Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid had taken the lead through Isco before Jesus appeared at the right moment and brought Manchester City back into the match with a powerful header.
His danger did not end with the goal. The Brazilian forward played an important role throughout the match, while Kevin De Bruyne eventually scored the winning goal from the penalty spot to give Manchester City a valuable victory in the Spanish capital.
Jesus also helped put pressure on the Real Madrid defense during the match before Sergio Ramos was sent off in the final stages, forcing the Real Madrid captain to miss the second leg. 🏆
Jesus Shines Again in the Second Leg
In the return match at the Etihad Stadium, Gabriel Jesus once again demonstrated that he could create serious problems for the Real Madrid defense.
The Brazilian played a direct role in Manchester City’s opening goal after pressing Raphael Varane and forcing him into a mistake that the English side converted into an opportunity finished by Raheem Sterling.
Jesus then added his own contribution by scoring Manchester City’s second goal, helping his team win 2-1 and qualify for the Champions League quarterfinals.
The performance confirmed his ability to exploit spaces, pressure defenders and turn mistakes into dangerous attacking situations.
Another Goal in the Semifinals
Jesus’ story against Real Madrid continued two seasons later when the Brazilian returned to face the Spanish giants in the 2021-2022 Champions League semifinal.
In the first leg at the Etihad Stadium, Jesus scored Manchester City’s second goal after controlling the ball impressively inside the penalty area and contributing to his team’s thrilling 4-3 victory.
That goal became his third against Real Madrid across his four meetings with the club, once again demonstrating his ability to make an impact in major matches against Los Blancos. ⭐
The Return Leg.. Real Madrid’s Historic Comeback
Despite Jesus’ strong performance in the first leg, the second meeting at Real Madrid produced a completely different story.
The Brazilian striker was substituted after 78 minutes, with Manchester City leading 1-0, before the match dramatically turned in the final stages.
Rodrygo scored two consecutive goals to bring Real Madrid back into the tie before Karim Benzema converted a penalty in extra time to complete the Spanish side’s comeback and secure qualification.
The result was painful for Jesus and Manchester City, but it did not erase the major influence the player had shown across their previous meetings.
Injury Denies Him Another Real Madrid Meeting
Gabriel Jesus was expected to have another opportunity to face Real Madrid with Arsenal in the 2024-2025 season after the draw paired the two clubs in the Champions League quarterfinals.
However, injury prevented the Brazilian forward from participating after he suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, ruling him out of both the first and second legs.
Despite his absence, Arsenal defeated Real Madrid over two legs, winning the first match 3-0 before repeating the victory with a 2-1 result in the return fixture.
From Real Madrid Problem to El Clasico Weapon
With Gabriel Jesus moving closer to Barcelona, his previous record against Real Madrid takes on added significance because the Brazilian could soon face the Spanish giants again in the colors of their traditional rivals.
The striker, who regularly caused problems for Real Madrid defenses during his Manchester City years, could become one of Barcelona’s attacking weapons in El Clasico if his move to the Catalan club is completed.
Jesus possesses several qualities that could make him useful in major matches, including constant movement, pressure on defenders, the ability to exploit mistakes and experience in the Champions League environment.
Barcelona Bet on Jesus’ Experience
Signing a player like Gabriel Jesus could give Barcelona greater flexibility in attack, particularly because the Brazilian has played important matches at the highest level and is accustomed to the pressure of major competitions.
His experience against Real Madrid also gives him an understanding of the nature of matches against Los Blancos, which could become an important psychological and technical advantage if he joins Barcelona.
However, the real test will be his ability to maintain his level and provide consistent contributions rather than relying only on his previous record against Real Madrid.
A Record That Raises Expectations
Three goals and one assist in four appearances against Real Madrid, combined with three victories and one defeat, give Gabriel Jesus an impressive record against the Spanish giants.
As he moves closer to Barcelona, those numbers could evolve from a simple career statistic into part of a completely new story if future matches bring him up against Real Madrid in the colors of the Catalan club.
✨ Gabriel Jesus enters a new stage of his career with an impressive record against Real Madrid, having scored three goals and provided one assist in four meetings, and the story could change completely if he faces Los Blancos in a Barcelona shirt.
📢 Do you think Gabriel Jesus could become Barcelona’s new weapon against Real Madrid? Share your opinion and prediction for the Brazilian forward in El Clasico. ⚽🔥
