Four years ago, when FIFA’s flagship tournament was held in his homeland, Gabriel Jesus was anonymous. A boy much like any other, he was out painting the streets – a Brazilian World Cup tradition – of Sao Paulo’s Jardim Peri, the neighbourhood where he grew up. As the Selecao look to lift their sixth world title in Russia this summer, however, he will be front and centre. Quite literally, when he is on the pitch. As Tite’s undisputed first-choice No9, he will lead the line for the Selecao with his boundless, child-like energy and seamless ability to pop up in the right place at the right time. He will be in focus off the field, too. Neymar aside, he is the most sought-after and reported-on Brazilian. If not already a world football icon, then Jesus is a superstar in waiting. His apparent joie de vivre, cherubic looks and humble origins endear him to young and old, rich and poor. The ‘Hi, Mum’ telephone goal celebration, his fairly unremarkable haircuts and the fact that when he doesn’t receive the ball he gets back in position and makes another run, rather than throwing his arms up in disgust, all seem to add to the boy-next-door appeal. Even his name, in a deeply religious country like Brazil, enhances his charm. He is an anti-Neymar in the Neymar age, and people love him for it. Recently, a huge, colourful mural of his smiling face was unveiled in Jardim Peri. In four years he has gone from painting the neighbourhood to having his image painted on it. Even though this season has been hampered by injuries, it still feels as if he has made progress. When fit, he is perhaps even ahead of Sergio Aguero in the pecking order at City. His rise to such an elevated status has been nothing short of meteoric. His ascent has an air of inevitability about it now. With all the talent at his disposal it seems as if he was destined to hit these great heights from the very start. When City secured his signature in August 2016, however, he was still an unknown quantity outside of his homeland and there were still doubts surrounding him in Brazil. After being moved from the left wing to centre-forward for his club side Palmeiras, he had started the season on fire, scoring goals and menacing defences in a way that brought the attention of the world’s top clubs and propelled Palmeiras to the top of the league.