Gabriel Jesus celebration: Why does the Arsenal foward hold a ‘phone’ to his ear after scoring a goal?

GABRIEL Jesus has captivated fans with both his goal-scoring prowess and unique goal celebrations.

His return to the Premier League with Arsenal has reignited excitement and here is everything we know about his goal celebration.

Reuters

Gabriel Jesus joined Arsenal in 2022[/caption]

Who is Gabriel Jesus?

Gabriel Jesus, born April 3, 1997, is a Brazilian football player.

He began his career at Palmeiras, where he won multiple titles, including the Copa do Brasil and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.

His standout performances led to a high-profile transfer to Manchester City in January 2017, where he contributed to four Premier League titles, three EFL Cups, and an FA Cup over his five years with the club.

In July 2022, Jesus joined Arsenal in a transfer valued at £45 million.

He quickly became a key player, making an immediate impact with his goal-scoring and playmaking abilities.

Internationally, Jesus has been a significant presence for Brazil, playing in the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups and winning the Copa América in 2019.

Why does Gabriel Jesus do the phone celebration?

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Jesus is honouring his mother during his goal celebration[/caption]

Gabriel Jesus’s signature phone celebration is a heartfelt tribute to his mother, Vera Lucia Diniz de Jesus.

The celebration began in 2016 during a World Cup qualifying match for Brazil, where Jesus celebrated a goal by mimicking a phone call.

The gesture, which Jesus elaborated on in interviews, reflects the close bond he shares with his mother and his gratitude for her unwavering support throughout his career.

He said in an interview: “It was a joke with my friends, a ‘Hello, mother’.

“My friends know why. My mother knows too.

“It was a celebration for them.”

Jesus also revealed during his time at Manchester City: “When we were kids, my mom would be calling me all the time to find out where I was, and if I didn’t pick up, she’d start calling all my friends.

“When I pick up the phone, it is in honour of my mother and our struggle.

“But it is also in honour of my friends and family and Coach Mamede and everyone in Brazil who helped me get here.

“Whenever I score for Manchester City, my mother calls me.

“As soon as the ball hits the back of the net, the phone rings.

“It doesn’t matter if she’s back home in Brazil or if she’s in the stadium watching me.

“She calls me every time. So I run to the corner flag, and I put my hand to my ear, and I say, ‘Alo Mae!’ (Hello mum).”

He is not the only Arsenal star uniquely celebrating goals.

For example, Kai Havertz’s celebration involves cupping his ears after scoring.

How many goals has Gabriel Jesus scored for Arsenal?

As of August 2024, Gabriel Jesus has scored 15 goals for Arsenal.

Jesus has made 213 appearances in the Premier League in total and has scored 73 goals.