New Arsenal signing Gabriel Jesus has a pretty unique goal celebration – here is why he mimics a phone call in his post-scoring actions.
The Gunners confirmed the signing of Jesus, making him their fourth of this summer. According to The Guardian, he joins Arsenal on a multi-year deal. The North London side paid Manchester City £45 million for the Brazilian’s services.
Jesus will wear the number nine shirt for the Gunners following the departure of Alexandre Lacazette. Gabriel Jesus moved to Arsenal in search of regular first-team football. He was a rotated player in Pep Guardiola’s attack at the Etihad.
Despite this, he boasts a solid scoring record. In 233 appearances for the Citizens, Jesus bagged 95 goals to go with 46 assists. Additionally, he impressed on the European stage for City.
The Brazilian found the net 20 times in 38 Champions League games. He also became the youngest Brazilian to reach ten goals in the tournament, at 22 years and 252 days old. This feat is awe-inspiring considering the calibre of Brazilian stars that have graced the Champions League.
Jesus leaves Man City as a four-time Premier League champion, with four Carabao Cups and an FA Cup in his trophy cabinet too. Now, he hopes to bring silverware back to his new club.
Fans have grown accustomed to seeing Gabriel Jesus perform his now trademark ‘phone call’ celebration. But why does he do it?
Gabriel Jesus: The story behind the Arsenal man’s celebration
Jesus calls the celebration the “Alô, Mãe”, which translates into English as “Hello, Mum”. Essentially, Jesus makes a phone with his hand and holds it up to his ear in order to phone his mother.
She calls the football star before every match he participates in. Like any caring parent, Vera Lucia makes sure her son has eaten properly before the game and wishes him luck too.
Speaking to Man City’s YouTube channel last year, the Brazilian explained how the celebration came about.
“I came up with this one with my friends,” said Arsenal’s new signing. “And, of course, it is a tribute to all the mums who took care of their kids, who protected their children and wanted to know where they were.
“My mother and my friends’ mothers were like this, and we tried to do something. But this celebration happened naturally, giving credit to my friends as well.”
As it is simply a lovely tribute to his mother, Jesus laughed off other suggestions behind his phone call celebration.
“I don’t care much because everyone knows it’s for my mum. I made it very clear. But I laugh when people say, for example, that it is for an ex-girlfriend. I laugh because I won’t explain all the time what it is.
“Sometimes it’s a meme or something like that.”
Arsenal supporters hope they see Gabriel Jesus ‘call home’ on many occasions next season.
Featured image credit: Getty
