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Gabriel Jesus has been backed to become one of the world’s best players – by former Brazil World Cup winner Juliano Belletti.

Jesus made an explosive start to his Manchester City career last January, before injury sabotaged his debut campaign in the Premier League.

But the 20-year-old has the world at his feet this season, according to compatriot and former Barcelona and Chelsea defender Belletti.

“We have the World Cup and after that maybe it is possible he can become one of the best in the world,” said Beletti.

“Definitely in the next year.

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

(Image: PA)

“It [Jesus’s start at City] was a good surprise for me, because when you arrive in the middle of the season there is a lot of pressure and expectation and he’s young. But his personality and his confidence was amazing.

“It’s all about confidence. The confidence you need in Brazil is not the same confidence in England.

“You need to arrive, to feel comfortable to be able to play your football.

“So when he arrived here, from the first minutes he took the ball he showed confidence and that’s very important.

“It’s about adaptation. It’s not the same football. Maybe more physical. It’s faster.

“You must not bring Brazil with you. You need to think as an English player, but always with confidence to play your football.”

(Image: Rex/Shutterstock) (Image: AFP/Getty)

Jesus has been compared to former Brazil star Ronaldo because of his attacking quality, but Belletti said the City forward was unique in terms of his talent and style.

“I don’t know [who to compare him to],” said Belletti, who won the Premier League and two FA Cups in a three-year spell at Chelsea.

“Gabriel has his own quality, he’s a different kind of player. He’s very intelligent, he has a lot of personality as Ronaldo and Romario had, but I don’t see him like them. He’s different.”

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