When Igor Jesus was dismissed from his childhood club, Brasil Central, by an Italian coach named Nino for laughing during training, many doubted he would ever succeed in football. To them, his career seemed like a joke. But Igor’s story is a powerful reminder that perseverance can turn setbacks into success. Despite facing numerous challenges, he carved out a path to greatness, proving that miracles can indeed happen in football.
This is the story of a Brazilian striker who lights up the pitch not just with his skills but also with his unique personality. Known for his iconic “Kamehameha” goal celebration—a tribute to the legendary anime Dragon Ball Z—Igor Jesus has captured the hearts of fans around the world.
Igor Jesus: A Rising Football Star with an Inspiring Journey
From a relatively unknown figure to becoming a starting player for the Brazilian national team, Igor Jesus now stands alongside talents like João Pedro, his namesake Gabriel Jesus, and Endrick in the competition for Brazil’s coveted No. 9 jersey. We’ll explore Igor’s life from his humble beginnings at local pitches to the global stage—a journey filled with lessons and inspiration.
Preamble:
The story of Igor Jesus is about more than just his incredible technical skills on the pitch—it’s a testament to his resilience and determination on the tough journey to fame. This biography explores Igor Jesus’ childhood and early love for football. It highlights key figures in his life, like his mother, Dona Dianna, his wife, Angélica Richter, and Delrik Brunne, who guided him as a mentor and father figure. It also offers insight into his personality, lifestyle, and the moments that define his remarkable journey.
Our goal is to ignite your love for football biographies as we take you through Igor Jesus’ inspiring story. To kick things off, let’s explore a gallery that captures his life’s journey—from a little boy chasing his dreams to the moment he achieved them. Truly, the son of Dona Dianna has come a long way in his extraordinary life story.
A glimpse into Igor Jesus’ inspiring journey—from a determined young boy to a celebrated footballer, showcasing the incredible milestones of the son of Dona Dianna. Image Credit: GloboFutebol, Personal Archive
Igor Jesus Childhood Story:
Igor is known by the nickname “Little Frog.” He earned this as a child while playing goalkeeper for his local neighbourhood team. The name came from the acrobatic moves he made to save shots, impressing everyone around him.
His full name is Igor Jesus Maciel da Cruz. The Brazilian Forward was born on February 25, 2001, to his mother, Dona Dianna, in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil. As a child, Igor was full of energy and adventure, often captivated by his favourite Japanese cartoon, Dragon Ball Z. His love for the iconic manga and anime series stayed with him, shaping a part of his personality that he carries proudly even as an adult.
Young Igor Jesus, often described as a spirited riverside boy, grew up in Cuiabá in modest circumstances. His mother, Dona Dianna, a firm and disciplined figure, played a pivotal role in shaping his life. From an early age, she supported his passion for football, nurturing hopes that one day he would bring pride to their family. However, Dona Dianna also believed in balance and instilled discipline, creating rules to guide Igor’s progress while ensuring he had a backup plan in case football didn’t work out. She would often remind him with wisdom-filled words:
“Either you focus on your studies, or you won’t be playing soccer anymore,”
She would firmly say, ensuring Igor understood the importance of education alongside his football dreams.
The riverside boy from Cuiabá, Igor Jesus, couldn’t avoid the consequences whenever he disobeyed his strict mother. On days when he skipped school, he wasn’t allowed to train—a rule his mother, Dona Dianna, strictly enforced. Despite this, Igor remained a devoted and well-behaved child. His passion for soccer was unwavering, and he refused to give up on his dream of becoming a professional player.
One day, with determination in his voice, Igor made a heartfelt promise to his mother:
“Mum, I’m going to fight because I want to be a player. One day, you’ll see me wearing the Brazilian national team jersey.”
This heartfelt promise Igor made to his mother came during a pivotal moment in his life. At just 12 years old, he faced the emotional challenge of leaving his family home for the first time to pursue his football dreams with Coritiba Football Club. It was a tough transition, and young Igor cried often, feeling the weight of being away from his loved ones.
Seeing his struggle, Dona Dianna offered him comforting words:
“Son, if you want, please come back.”
But Igor, determined and brave, found the courage to push forward. Instead of taking his mother’s advice, he assured her that he was ready to fight for his dream and vowed to make her proud. As noticed here, his slightly rounded belly and modest appearance reflect the challenges he faced growing up, yet his spirit was unwavering as he set out to make his mark in football.
A young Igor Jesus poses at his youth club, embodying determination and dreams despite his humble beginnings.
Igor Jesus Family Background:
The Brazilian striker, Igor Jesus, comes from incredibly humble beginnings, a fact he embraces with pride. His family lived modestly along the banks of the Cuiabá River, earning the nickname “the riverside family” due to their reliance on fishing for a livelihood. At just nine years old, Igor became part of the family’s fishing business, helping to clean fish at a local market stall alongside his grandfather. For his efforts, he earned twenty reais a month, a small income that reflected the tough yet formative environment he grew up in.
Even after achieving success as a professional footballer and earning a comfortable living, Igor Jesus has remained deeply connected to his roots. He often visits the banks of the Cuiabá River, a place that shaped his early life and character. Igor’s connection to the region is so strong that he still enjoys its traditions, like fishing and exploring the Pantanal. Reflecting on the moment he was discovered, a man named Delrik, who played a key role in Igor’s journey, recalled with a smile:
“I was heading home when I spotted a guy without a shirt, wearing Coritiba shorts, and holding a fishing rod under the bridge—so typical of the area. That’s how I first found him.”
Family Origin:
Igor Jesus comes from Cuiabá, the capital of Mato Grosso, a central Brazilian state. His roots trace back to the banks of the River Cuiabá, a region rich in culture and natural beauty. Known as the “Cidade Verde” (Green City), Cuiabá is celebrated for its lush landscapes but is also infamous for its intense heat, often ranking among Brazil’s hottest cities.
The city’s passion for football is undeniable, having hosted matches during the memorable 2014 FIFA World Cup at the impressive Arena Pantanal. Here’s a map gallery showing Igor’s hometown and its vibrant heritage.
His journey began in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso—a ‘Green City’ by the River Cuiabá. From humble roots to a football star, his hometown shaped his dreams. Credit: BreakingTravelNews, GoogleMaps, TraveLark
Ethnicity:
Igor Jesus is a brown-skinned Brazilian. From an ethnic viewpoint, he identifies with the Pardo group. This is an ethnic composition used in Brazil to describe mixed-race individuals. Notable Brazilian footballers who are Pardo include Douglas Luiz and Vitor Roque. There are other similar ethnic groups, like Afro-Brazilians. For example, footballer Vinicius Junior identifies as Afro-Brazilian due to his Cameroonian roots.
Education:
Dona Dianna made sure her son, Igor, completed Pre-School (Educação Infantil). If she ever noticed he skipped school, she would punish him by not letting him play football. Ensuring Igor finished primary school (Ensino Fundamental) was also a priority for her. During his school years, she was strict about his friendships, keeping him away from undisciplined kids and ensuring he stayed around well-mannered friends.
Career Buildup:
Igor’s career started with a small, unrecognized local team in Cuiabá. All he wanted was to join a formal, recognized football team. One day, his team played a friendly match against Central Brazil’s under-15 team. Igor, playing as a striker, caught the eye of Delrik Brunne, the youth coordinator for the project. After watching Igor’s performance, Delrik asked about him and was surprised to learn he was only 13, unlike most of his older teammates.
What stood out to Delrik was Igor’s physical strength, ability to shield the ball, and impressive pivot play. At that time, Delrik Brunne’s priority was to find young footballers who played with the flair typical of Brazilian football. Igor Jesus fit that description perfectly. He was accepted into Central Brazil, marking the start of his exciting football journey.
Let’s help you spot Igor! He’s the fifth from the right in the standing row, alongside his Brazil Central teammates and coaches. Credit: GloboFutebol
Did you know Igor Jesus’ rise as a footballer almost took a very different turn? At 13, he was close to ruining his career due to his indiscipline.
It all happened when Igor laughed during a training session despite the coach’s warnings. Nino, the Italian coach and club coordinator, dismissed him from Brasil Central. Afterwards, Igor begged to be let back in, even involving his mother, Dona Dianna. She punished him at home and made him promise to change his behaviour.
Then, Dona Dianna, along with Delrik Brunne, the club’s project coordinator who had brought Igor in, spoke with Nino. Thankfully, Nino reconsidered and allowed Igor to return to the team.
Road to Fame Story:
As a young boy, Igor knew his dream wasn’t to be a scholar but to become a professional footballer. Sadly, his journey was full of setbacks. Despite his efforts to progress to a bigger club by attending trials, he was rejected by Fluminense and Grêmio.
It wasn’t due to a lack of talent. Igor Jesus was a Brazil Central centre-forward who excelled at playing between defenders, using his strength, speed, and sharp finishing. These qualities caught attention and led to his departure from Brasil Central, a football project in Cuiabá.
One day, Bernardo Franco, a native of Curitiba working for Cuiabá Esporte Clube, was scouting for promising young talents at Brasil Central. He discovered Igor Jesus and learned about his struggles with rejection. In 2015, Bernardo helped Igor join Coritiba’s under-15 team.
It was a big moment for Igor, as it was his first time leaving home to live as a boarder. Overwhelmed with emotion, he, before leaving his family to reside at the club’s facility, cried. His mum felt a lot of pity for him and urged him to come back, saying, “My son, come.” But Igor refused. He told her he wanted to fight for his dream and become a football player. Despite feeling homesick, Igor pushed through and adjusted to life at his new club.
Young Igor Jesus during his early days in Cuiabá, a period when he was still adjusting to homesickness. Credit: Globo
At Cuiabá, Igor stood out as a kid who played with maturity beyond his years. He had a great sense of positioning and movement, earning praise for his understanding of the game. This caught the attention of Bernardo Franco, who brought him into the club. While playing for Cuiabá Esporte Clube, Igor consistently found himself in the right positions to score goals, performing well above the level expected for his age.
Journey to Fame:
While at Cuiabá, Igor joined the team for the EFIPAN, the Panamericano Children’s Football Meeting. He was a standout player, helping his team win the championship after defeating Grêmio in a penalty shootout in the final. Igor completed his youth program and moved up to the professional team in the 2018/2019 season.
He played only a few matches in Brazil’s top league before being sold to Shabab Al-Ahli in the United Arab Emirates at the age of 19. Many questioned why he chose to join a club in the Middle East instead of one in Europe or England at such a young age.
In the Middle East, Igor was praised for his physical strength, finishing ability, and speed. Unfortunately, he suffered a serious injury that kept him off the pitch for a year. Upon his return, he quickly regained his goalscoring instinct and helped his club win several trophies.
He celebrates with his Shabab Al Ahli teammates after securing well-earned trophies.
Igor impressed everyone while playing abroad and even received offers to stay in the United Arab Emirates as a citizen. After four years with Shabab Al Ahli, he was granted his UAE passport in 2023 and was invited to join the Saudi Arabian national team. However, since his dream was always to play for Brazil, Igor declined the offer and also rejected the club’s renewal offer. At this point, Botafogo, a fast-rising Brazilian club, stepped in and offered him a contract.
The Botafogo Devidends:
In his first season at Botafogo, Igor Jesus quickly made a name for himself in a team featuring stars like Thiago Almada and Alex Telles. He became a starter right away and delivered impressive performances in both the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian Championship. His standout play caught the attention of the Brazilian National Team coach, Dorival Júnior, who called him up for the first time in his career.
Truth be told, Igor Jesus’ call-up to the Brazilian National Team surprised many, even some who closely followed his career. It wasn’t due to his talent or potential but rather the speed with which it happened. While some players had to prove themselves in Europe first, Igor’s rise came much quicker than expected.
Jesus has always believed he would represent Brazil, a promise he made to his mother, Dona Dianna. His confidence in himself was so strong that he turned down the chance to be naturalized and play for the United Arab Emirates national team. Who knows? He could be the striker Brazil has been searching for since the days of Ronaldo and Adriano. As they say, the rest of his career is now history.
Introducing Angélica Richter – Igor Jesus’ Wife:
Interestingly, Igor Jesus is already a married man, surprising many by tying the knot early in his career. Similar to Endrick and Coutinho, he chose to settle down young. His wife, Angélica Richter, is a nutritionist, and their love story began when Igor was just 19. That was the time the Brazilian Forward left Coritiba for Shabab Al Ahli, falling in love with a lady of both beauty and brains at his new destination.
Igor Jesus and Angélica look effortlessly adorable. Her beautiful charm makes their age gap disappear. Credit: Instagram @a_richter / Jogada10
About Angélica Richter:
When Igor Jesus made the move to Shabab Al-Ahli in the United Arab Emirates, his wife, Angélica, had just celebrated her 30th birthday. This revealed an intriguing detail — she is more than a decade older than her husband. But who cares? Their love story proves that age is just a number, and their bond is stronger than any gap in years!
When Angélica moved to Dubai with Igor, she had already earned her degree in nutrition from Tuiuti University in Paraná. She accompanied him on his exciting football journey in the United Arab Emirates, where they spent four wonderful years. Their time in Dubai was filled with luxurious experiences, including unforgettable visits to the iconic Dubai Desert.
Igor Jesus and Angélica soaking in the golden beauty of the Dubai Desert during their Arabian adventure.
Interestingly, not many fans know that Angélica Richter has a career that has to do with sports. In fact, her specialization is in the area of sports nutrition. This means that she specializes in providing sportsmen and women with the proper diet for optimal performance.
Personality:
Who is Igor Jesus outside Football?
Igor Jesus has a unique love for exploring the sea. For the Brazilian forward, it’s the perfect escape from the demands of his football career. He knows how to recharge and restore his energy. One such moment was during his stay at the Hotel Riu Palace Maldives. Here, Jesus enjoys a serene sunset over the Maldivian waters, recharging amidst luxury at the Hotel Riu Palace.
He loves to unwind, especially in this stunning Maldivian sunset, embracing the calm of paradise.
Untold Facts:
In the final section of Igor Jesus’ biography, we’ll unveil more truths you might not know about him. Without further ado, let’s begin.
The Origin of His Goal Celebration:
One day, while sitting on the couch, an idea suddenly struck Igor. He got up excitedly, turned to his wife, who was sitting nearby, and said,
“Honey, the next goal I score, I’m going to celebrate like Goku.”
He stood in front of her, striking a pose and shouting,
“Aahhhh!”
Jesus unleashes his signature ‘Kamehameha’ celebration, electrifying the crowd with his Dragon Ball Z-inspired move.
Angélica laughed and replied,
“What’s that, boy? That’s not going to look good.”
Igor confidently told her,
“You’ll see it at Nilton Santos Stadium—everyone will join in.”
When the time came and he pulled off the celebration in front of the crowd, Angélica was surprised. The entire stadium responded. Later, when they got home, she said,
“Wow, the celebration really did look great! The whole crowd joined in.”
Now, it’s become his signature move.
Igor Jesus FC 25:
Igor Jesus stands out with top marks for his power and athleticism, especially his jumping ability, which is his strongest asset. The Brazilian forward also excels in movement, with ball control, finishing, heading accuracy, and positioning being close contenders for his best skills.
Looking at his FIFA FC25 stats, it’s clear that Igor is underrated. His potential ratings, in particular, deserve a boost to reflect his real talent.
His power, precision, and movement are skills that deserve more recognition in FIFA ratings. Image: SOFIFA
Igor Jesus Religion:
Dona Dianna brought Igor Jesus up with strong Catholic values, and it’s clear he is a devoted Christian. Like many Brazilian footballers, he grew up embracing the Catholic faith and held a deep admiration for the Christ the Redeemer statue (Cristo Redentor). His mother, Dianna, made sure he maintained a strong connection to his faith, which has guided him throughout his life and football career.
End Note:
Igor Jesus’ story is one that makes football lovers learn about determination, discipline, and inspiration. From his early days at Coritiba, where he started his football journey, he has shown the power of resilience. Today, he has special love from fans thanks to the unique “Kamehameha” goal celebration. Inspired by his love for Dragon Ball Z, Igor became a fan favourite, symbolizing his playful spirit and deep connection with supporters.
His family, especially the woman who gave birth to him, has been a crucial part of his journey. Raised by his strict yet supportive mother, Dona Dianna, the Brazilian learned the values of discipline and dedication early on. Her guidance, especially during challenging moments, kept Igor focused on his dreams. His wife, Angélica Richter, deserves lots of praise. She has been by his side through it all, from their time in Dubai to his success in Rio. Angélica even specialised in sports nutrition to support his career.
Today, Igor Jesus is glad to have fulfilled the promise he made to his mother. As Igor Jesus continues to shine on the field, moments like scoring in his World Cup qualifier debut stand out. He carries the dreams of aspiring footballers, the love of his family, and the pride of wearing Brazil’s colours.
Appreciation Note:
Thank you for taking the time to read the story of Igor Jesus, the footballer born in 2001. We care about accuracy and fairness in the quest to deliver football stories about Brazilians, telling you how they evolved from their humble and difficult past. Surely, the story of heartfelt stories of Evanilson and Gabriel Veron will excite you. Kindly reach us via comment if you find anything that needs correction in this memoir about the Botafogo forward. Also, tell us via comment what you think about Igor Jesus and his interesting story.
