Gabriel Jesus scored his first goal for Barcelona in a 5-1 victory over Feyenoord at the Camp Nou on Wednesday in the Champions League.
The strike was his 27th in the UEFA Champions League, moving the Brazilian attacker level with former midfielder Rivaldo as the joint-fourth highest scoring Brazilian player in the history of Europe's top club competition.
Neymar leads the ranking of Brazilian goalscorers in the Champions League with 43 goals, followed by Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr on 34 and former AC Milan midfielder Kaka on 30. Jesus and Rivaldo sit tied behind them with 27 goals each.
Historic Champions League Tally
Jesus also matched another specific milestone previously set by Rivaldo by scoring in the Champions League for three different clubs. The striker registered earlier European goals for English Premier League sides Manchester City and Arsenal before adding Spanish club Barcelona to his tally. Rivaldo achieved his 27 goals during spells with Barcelona, Italian giants AC Milan, and Greek side Olympiacos.
Following the match, Jesus described Rivaldo as an extraordinary player and an idol of the club whom he had always admired on the pitch. He added that it was a pleasure to share the historical ranking alongside major names from Brazilian football history.
Late Impact at the Camp Nou
Jesus entered the match as an 83rd-minute substitute for Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo and needed only two minutes to find the net. In the 85th minute, young winger Lamine Yamal delivered a cross that Jesus directed into the net with a header to seal Barcelona's fifth goal of the evening.
The appearance was only the striker's second match for the Spanish club since joining late in the transfer window. His debut came as a late substitute during a 5-0 domestic league victory over Valencia.
Speaking about his goal, Jesus said the feeling matched the emotion of scoring the first goal of his professional career. He explained that scoring his first goal inside a packed Camp Nou was something he had envisioned for a long time.
New Chapter Under Hansi Flick
The move to Spain followed a season of limited opportunities at Arsenal, where Jesus was part of the squad that finished as Champions League runners-up last term. He is now seeking an expanded role in Barcelona's team under German manager Hansi Flick.
Jesus noted his affinity for playing in the Champions League, admitting that falling just short of the title last year motivated him for the current campaign. He expressed hope that this season would yield a different outcome for his team.
Barcelona return to Champions League action in October when they travel to face Turkish side Galatasaray in the second round of the league phase.
