Gabriel Jesus, the new signing for FC Barcelona, is already in the city and watched the La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano from the stands at the Estadi. The 27-year-old Brazilian forward packed his first day with a medical examination and meetings with club officials, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.
Xavi Hernández's side currently sits fourth in the La Liga table, with six points from two wins. They have scored seven goals and conceded none, placing them three points behind leaders Real Madrid. Their next fixture is on Sunday, 6 September at Mestalla against Valencia, a team currently in 17th place. For that match, Barcelona will be without key players like Toni Fernández, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, and Roony Bardghji, according to the injuries list.
What did Gabriel Jesus's first day involve?
Gabriel Jesus arrived in Barcelona via the private flights terminal. He stayed at a hotel near the Spotify Camp Nou with his family. His Monday schedule included a thorough medical examination at Hospital de Barcelona, a key final step before signing his contract. In the evening, he attended the second matchday fixture between Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano at the Estadi.
In the stands, the player greeted president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco. He also exchanged words with club figures like Bojan Krkic and footballer Aitana Bonmatí. He sat in the front row of the executive box accompanied by his wife, who held their daughter, and his agent, Giovanni Branchini. The Catalan outlet noted that "Gabriel Jesus enjoyed a very tight schedule on his first day as a Barça player."
When will his signing be made official?
The official announcement of Gabriel Jesus's signing is scheduled for Tuesday. The club is finalising details for his presentation as a new Blaugrana player. The forward arrives from Manchester City, where he wore the number 9 shirt. At Barcelona, he is expected to inherit the number 19 jersey, a number recently worn by players like Lamine Yamal, Vitor Roque, Franck Kessié, and Kun Agüero.
His addition strengthens an attack looking to maintain its scoring form, having netted seven times in the first two league games. Fans can track the team's progress and check upcoming matches on the fixtures page.
When could he make his Barcelona debut?
All signs point to Gabriel Jesus potentially making his first appearance for Barcelona on the third La Liga matchday. That game is on Sunday against Valencia at Mestalla, kicking off at 16:15. His possible debut will depend, in part, on his physical condition after joining training this week and the tactical decisions of the coaching staff.
The Brazilian's arrival provides a boost for a team aiming to close the three-point gap to Real Madrid in the standings. His Premier League experience and attacking versatility are valuable assets for this phase of the season. Barcelona approaches this part of the schedule aiming to maintain its defensive solidity, having kept a clean sheet so far.
Gabriel Jesus's official debut for Barcelona is scheduled for next Sunday at Valencia's stadium.
