Nottingham Forest ‘Keen’ on Signing Brazilian Forward – Who is He? | OneFootball

Igor Jesus to Nottingham Forest? The Botafogo Star Turning Heads on the Global Stage

When a player scores decisive goals against both the European champions and a plucky MLS side in the same week, people tend to sit up and pay attention. Igor Jesus, the 24-year-old striker lighting up the Club World Cup for Botafogo, is doing exactly that. With Nottingham Forest reportedly keen on bringing him to the Premier League, it is time to understand what makes him such a compelling prospect.

From Sapinho to Stardom

Nicknamed Sapinho — “Little Frog” in Portuguese — by his grandfather, Igor Jesus’ rise has been anything but conventional. Depending on whom you ask, the moniker either stems from his acrobatic agility between the posts as a child goalkeeper or a rather endearing mismatch between a small frame and a disproportionately large head. Whatever the origin, the name stuck, and so did the flair.

Photo: IMAGO

He’s also no stranger to animation. Quite literally. A devout fan of Dragon Ball Z, Jesus emulates the famous Kamehameha move from the show in his goal celebration, wrists together and arms extended — a nod to his childhood fascination. It is symbolic of the energy he brings to the pitch and the larger-than-life persona he is beginning to craft.

With 70 goals in 206 professional appearances, Jesus is no stranger to the scoresheet. After coming through the ranks at Coritiba and helping them secure promotion as a teenager, he moved to Shabab Al-Ahli in the UAE, where he refined his finishing touch, scoring 46 goals in 92 appearances. His return to Brazil with Botafogo last July was a turning point, as he led the club to both the Serie A and Copa Libertadores titles.

Club World Cup Impact

This Club World Cup has been something of a coming-out party for Jesus. A composed finish against Paris Saint-Germain, after skipping between two centre-backs and nutmegging one, had global audiences double-taking. Four days prior, he’d scored the winner against Seattle Sounders. Two goals in two games, two man-of-the-match performances — and the world watching.

Statistically, he has been immense. Despite Botafogo having just 25.3% possession against PSG, Jesus registered the third-most touches among his team-mates. He contested 16 duels, won five aerial battles and constantly offered himself as an outlet. Against Seattle, his winner came via a well-timed header — one of six aerial duels he won that day. For a striker standing at just 5ft 10in, it’s an exceptional return.

Tim Vickery, one of the most respected voices in South American football, dubbed him “the modern-day Drogba.” It is high praise, but not unfounded.

Why Jesus Fits Forest

The link between Igor Jesus and Nottingham Forest is not new, but it is becoming increasingly plausible. With Botafogo attracting attention across the board, Jesus is reportedly joined by team-mates Jair Cunha and Cuiabano on Forest’s radar.

What would he offer Forest? Quite a bit, actually. His ability to play with his back to goal, bring others into play and make the most of limited service aligns perfectly with the East Midlands side’s pragmatic style. He also brings something Forest lack — a centre-forward with mobility and strength who can still drop deep, link play and, crucially, score when it matters.

At present, Forest rely heavily on Chris Wood. Jesus would not replace him so much as complement or eventually succeed him. He is battle-tested, has proven himself in South America’s most demanding competitions and, crucially, looks comfortable on the global stage.

A Move on the Horizon?

Jesus scored on his debut for Brazil in a tough away fixture against Chile in World Cup qualifying. He is not a one-tournament wonder. His performance against PSG, a side who dismantled Inter Milan in the Champions League final just weeks prior, shows that this is a player ready for the next step.

The question is no longer whether Jesus is good enough for the Premier League. It is whether Nottingham Forest can act quickly enough to bring him in before someone bigger does. After all, players like him, with flair, grit and proven efficiency, don’t stay under the radar for long.

And given his nickname, any move to the City Ground would feel less like a leap and more like the next hop in an upward journey.