Gabriel Jesus weeps as he wins Brazilian title with Palmeiras in final game before Manchester City move
- Teenage striker vows 'This is not goodbye, it is a see you later' as he prepares for move to the Etihad in January
- Veteran Ze Roberto says he may continue, after winning title aged 42
MANCHESTER City’s Brazilian sensation Gabriel Jesus broke down in tears as he said goodbye to his home side Palmeiras in sensational style – by helping the club win their first title for 22 years.
Wonderkid Gabriel Jesus, 19, is moving to the Etihad in January after a £27million move was agreed in the summer.
However he was overcome after helping Palmeiras win its first Brazilian championship since 1994 with a 1-0 home victory over Chapecoense on Sunday.
The City-bound star told Jesus told more than 40,000 fans at the Allianz Parque in Sao Paulo: "Unfortunately this was my last game here. This is not goodbye, this is a 'see you later'.
“Here in Brazil I got the habit of winning titles, now I hope there are many more to celebrate in the future. Never forget me because I will never forget you.”
He also put on a pig mask to the delight of fans.
The pig is the mascot of Palmeiras, after the club turned their rivals's jibes on their head in the 1990s by adopting the taunts as its official character.
Teenager Gabriel Jesus has scored over 20 goals for his club in 2016, but there is much more to his game than goals. Gabriel Jesus can also create chances with his explosive pace and skill, and will contribute defensively due to a strong work ethic.
Gabriel Jesus has already lifted a Brazilian cup with Palmeiras last year, won gold at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in August and became Brazil's No9 under new coach Tite, scoring five goals in six matches of the World Cup qualifiers.
The teenager plays alongside a player old enough to be his dad – former Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen veteran midfielder Ze Roberto, who is still a first team regular aged 42.
The Brazilian midfielder, who has been capped 84 times by his country, says he may continue playing.
“In our career, we have to live in the moment,” he said after Palmeiras’ title triumph.
“Now is not the time to stop. It is time to enjoy, consider and take a decision in the coming days.”