Gabriel Jesus arrives in Barcelona and says he does not feel like Julián Álvarez’s Plan B

Gabriel Jesus arrived in Barcelona insisting that being labeled Julián Álvarez’s Plan B did not bother him. “This does not bother me, it does not offend me,” the Brazilian forward said at his presentation. “What bothers me is not playing football.”

Barcelona announced a three-season agreement with Arsenal, keeping Jesus at the Catalan club until June 30, 2029. The club did not disclose the transfer fee, although local media reported a payment of about €10 million, plus add-ons.

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This does not bother me, it does not offend me. What bothers me is not playing football.

Jesus joins after Barcelona struggled to sign Álvarez from Atlético Madrid, its main attacking target. The club had appeared ready to enter the season without adding another forward, but ultimately chose the Brazilian to strengthen its attack following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.

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I am in very good physical shape. My knee is no longer a problem. It happened a year and a half ago, I recovered very well and returned to playing very well for Arsenal.

The forward also sought to dispel concerns about the knee injury that interrupted his career. He returned last season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in January 2025. “I am in very good physical shape. My knee is no longer a problem. It happened a year and a half ago, I recovered very well and returned to playing very well for Arsenal,” he said.

Jesus attributed his reduced role at Arsenal to technical decisions rather than lingering injury problems. “My whole body is very well, it is ready to give everything as it has always done in my life,” he said.

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My whole body is very well, it is ready to give everything as it has always done in my life.