Brazil set to risk Gabriel Jesus against Argentina

Gabriel Jesus appears poised to make a return to the field for Brazil in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Argentina on Tuesday, despite a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since October.

The 26-year-old’s potential comeback has raised concerns at Arsenal, where doubts persisted about his full recovery from the soft tissue injury sustained during the 2-1 Champions League victory over Sevilla.

Arsenal had hoped Jesus would stay in London for the international break to focus on his rehabilitation. However, Brazil coach Fernando Diniz disregarded their wishes by including the forward in the national squad for matches against Colombia and Brazil. 

Although Jesus did not feature in their recent defeat to Colombia, reports from Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte suggest that he is likely to start against Argentina.

While Jesus has encountered a season marked by injuries, with just seven appearances in Arsenal’s 12 Premier League games, his readiness for Tuesday’s match will undergo evaluation by Brazil’s medical team before he gets the green light to play.

Arsenal technical director, Edu Gaspar, maintains communication with the national team’s staff to stay updated on the forward’s fitness status.

Jesus has managed to score four times across various competitions this season for Arsenal. However, his playing time has been limited due to a knee injury that sidelined him for the initial three Premier League games. His last appearance saw him net a goal against Sevilla before exiting the field due to a hamstring issue after 81 minutes.

Should he be cleared to play, Jesus might feature alongside teammates Gabriel Martinelli and Rodrygo in a formidable front three for Brazil against Argentina. Arsenal remains cautiously attentive to his condition, hoping for a successful return to action without aggravating his injury woes.