Gabriel JesusFour years ago, he was a teenager madly in love with football painting the neighbourhood streets of Sao Paulo ahead of his country hosting the FIFA World Cup.
Fast forward to 2018, when the World Cup begins in Russia, he will be on the pitch wearing Brazil's No. 9 jersey as the Selecao look to lift their sixth world title.
And recently, a huge, colourful mural of his trademark celebration was unveiled in Sao Paulo. He has gone from painting the neighbourhood to having his image painted on it!
This is how Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus' story goes. His rise to such an elevated status has been nothing short of meteoric.
An year ago, Jesus revealed that he painted the streets of Brazil with some throwback photos posted on social media which were taken months before his senior debut for local club, Palmeiras.
After his splendid performance at Palmeiras, he was called up to the Brazilian Under-20 team which finished runner-up at the 2015 U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.
Gabriel Jesus paints the streets of Sao Paulo ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Photo: TwitterJesus made his senior debut in September, 2016, and since then the 21-year-old has an impressive goal scoring record having found the net nine times in 15 appearances for his country. He was also part of the Brazilian team which broke the jinx of never having won the Olympic football gold medal at the 2016 Rio Games.
Following his excellent spells, Jesus joined English giants Manchester City in January, 2017, for a transfer fee of 32 million euros. Since then he has become an integral part of Pep Guardiola's revolution at Manchester City and helped them win the Premier League title this year.
Even though he had been plagued by injuries this season, he still scored 13 goals. When fully fit, he is perhaps even ahead of Argentine star Sergio Aguero in the pecking order.
Following his move to City, Jesus has very well settled into life in England. Although he continues to miss his mother Vera Lucia, he spends quality time with his family and friends during the off-season.
Now, the challenge of a World Cup awaits him with the Canaries hoping to exorcise the ghosts of the 1-7 rout at the hands of eventual champions Germany in the semifinals of the last edition.
Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus. Photo: TwitterAs coach Tite's undisputed first choice striker, he will lead the line in Russia, where Brazil have been drawn with Costa Rica, Serbia and Switzerland in Group E.
The teenager with a heart full of hope and dreams has come a long way indeed.
