Media and fans alike are always eager to label players the ‘new this’ or ‘new that’ in the hope that a young talent can match the feats of his predecessors.
Of course, many fail, either due to being unable to cope with the pressure, making a bad move in the transfer market, or simply because they were not quite as talented as first anticipated.
For every Neymar, there is a Kerlon, or perhaps a Denilson – a player who has a more than respectable career, but does not become a star.
Palmeiras’ Gabriel Jesus, for example, will undoubtedly be compared to these names and whether he becomes Neymar or a Kerlon will be determined in time.
For now, it is best to simply admire his talents, even if it is hard to contain the excitement and stop your imagination running wild at the possibility of what he might become.
Gabriel only made his debut for Palmeiras in March, but had already come to prominence with his form at youth level.
Playing for the Verdão’s under 18 side, he managed 54 goals in 48 matches – a bewildering statistic, even at that level.
He signed his first professional contract in January of this year and went on to start for Palmeiras again, this time at under-20 level at the Copa São Paulo Futebol Júnior tournament, where he finished top scorer, before moving up to the first-team.
His name was inevitably included on the Palmeiras squad list for the 2015/16 Brasileirão and he would go on to debut in the opening match of the campaign – a 2-2 draw with Atletico Mineiro.
Due to his participation at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, he did not feature again until the round nine win against Sao Paulo and he finally notched his first league goals in a 3-2 victory over Joinville in round 21.
Gabriel is now a regular under Head Coach Marcelo Oliveira and as he increasingly establishes himself as a player who can relied upon, the pressure inevitably increases.
His versatility – he can play anywhere across the front – his low centre of gravity and enviable pace and trickery fits him perfectly into the blueprint of the Brazilian attacker.
The youthful enthusiasm he still possesses is charming and also suggests the pressure and expectation have not got to him, yet.
Whether Gabriel can truly be the ‘next Neymar’ will be determined in time. Perhaps, the key will be his ability to cope with such a tag.
Too many promising Brazilians have fallen before they have had a chance to flourish in recent years, leaving the national team short on star quality.
For Gabriel to avoid that path, he would do well to keep on the one he is currently following.