Barcelona’s first-ever Brazilian number nine wishes new signing the best: ‘Lot of nostalgia’

Barcelona’s first-ever Brazilian number nine wishes new signing the best: ‘Lot of nostalgia’ Raphinha has started the new season with Barcelona on fire and has been simply unstoppable in front of goal playing as a number nine. The Brazilian star’s legacy at the club is only growing, and there is already a sense of conviction that he will go down in history as one of the greats of his nation to have played for Barcelona. Notably, the player Barcelona have brought in to serve as his backup also happens to be a compatriot – Gabriel Jesus. The new striker will don the number nine shirt for Barcelona despite not being the starting striker while Raphinha will continue to don the number 11 which he has made iconic. Brazilian legend’s wishes Barcelona’s first-ever Brazilian number nine, Evaristo, spoke to SPORT recently where he reminisced about his time as the club’s striker. Jesus has massive shoes to fill. (Picture credit: X/@FCBarcelona) Wishing the new holder of the kit, Gabriel Jesus, the best with the jersey, he said, “Gabriel, honor the number 9 shirt you wore with Barcelona, which even today I still remember with a lot of nostalgia.” Evaristo then wished the player the very best at his new club and spoke about how Brazilians have a rich history with Barcelona’s number nine shirt. “I wish you success with Barcelona, and that you leave your mark on the club’s shirt just like many Brazilian players have done throughout its history.” Set for a debut? Gabriel Jesus was Barcelona’s final signing of the summer and moved from Arsenal to Catalonia on deadline day. Barcelona’s first-choice Brazilian striker. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Sunday’s clash against Valencia marks the first time the Brazilian enters the squad for Barcelona, and he is starting on the bench at Mestalla. Having just arrived at the club, the player did not take long to join group training, and there is confidence that the player is in good physical form. His debut for Barcelona , at least as a formality, could well arrive late in the game against Valencia. The number nine shirt, in that sense, can be seen on the field for Barcelona for the first time this season later in the day. A massive day thus awaits the former Arsenal star as he kicks off a new chapter in his career.