Igor Jesus is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. His full name is Igor Jesus Maciel da Cruz, and the Brazilian forward was born on February 25, 2001, in Cuiabá, Brazil. After beginning his professional journey with Coritiba, he spent several productive seasons in the United Arab Emirates with Shabab Al Ahli before returning to Brazil and becoming a major part of Botafogo’s historic 2024 season. He later moved to England in July 2025 and established himself as an important Nottingham Forest attacker.
Quick Bio of Igor Jesus
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Igor Jesus Maciel da Cruz |
| Known As | Igor Jesus |
| Date of Birth | February 25, 2001 |
| Age in 2026 | 25 years old |
| Birthplace | Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Position | Striker / Centre-Forward |
| Height | Around 1.79–1.80 m |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Current Club | Nottingham Forest |
| Joined Forest | July 5, 2025 |
| Contract | Until June 2029 |
| Previous Club | Botafogo |
| Other Clubs | Coritiba, Shabab Al Ahli |
| Brazil Debut | October 10, 2024 |
| Brazil Goals | 1 in his first five senior appearances |
| Major Botafogo Titles | Copa Libertadores and Brasileirão 2024 |
| Shirt Number at Forest | 19 |
| 2026 World Cup | Not selected in Brazil’s final squad |
| Net Worth | Not independently verified |
Brazil’s football federation lists Igor’s birth date as February 25, 2001 and currently identifies Nottingham Forest as his club.
Who Is Igor Jesus?
Igor Jesus is one of the Brazilian strikers who made a relatively unusual journey to top-level European football.
Many Brazilian stars move directly from Brazil to one of Europe’s biggest leagues.
Igor’s path was different.
He started in Brazil.
Then he moved to the United Arab Emirates while still very young.
He spent nearly four years there.
After developing into a much more experienced striker, he returned to Brazil with Botafogo.
That move changed his career.
Within months, he became a Brazilian champion, a Copa Libertadores winner and a senior Brazil international.
Then came Nottingham Forest.
By 2026, Igor was playing regularly in one of the world’s most watched football leagues.
How Old Is Igor Jesus?
Igor Jesus was born on February 25, 2001.
He turned 25 years old on February 25, 2026.
The Brazilian Football Confederation confirms his full name as Igor Jesus Maciel da Cruz and his birth date as February 25, 2001.
He was born in Cuiabá, the capital of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso.
Igor Jesus’ Childhood in Cuiabá
Igor did not grow up in a glamorous football environment.
His childhood story has become one of the most interesting parts of his rise.
Brazilian reporting says he grew up in the Praeirinho area of Cuiabá and spent time helping his grandfather with a fish business.
Igor later recalled that football seemed very far away from becoming a real career when he was young.
He started playing at a small football school in his neighborhood.
During an interview recalled by Brazilian media in 2026, Igor said he once even tried to avoid going to training because he worried about leaving his grandfather alone at work.
His early story is therefore not simply about natural football talent.
It is also about family responsibility.
How Did Igor Jesus Start Playing Football?
Igor played local football before attracting attention from scouts.
His talent eventually took him from Cuiabá to Coritiba, a major football club based in Curitiba.
Coritiba recruited him when he was around 13.
That meant leaving his home region and entering a much more structured youth-development system.
By 2019, he had reached the first team.
Globo reported in March 2019 that the young striker had been with Coritiba since age 13 and had been promoted into the professional squad after impressing at youth level.
Igor Jesus at Coritiba
Coritiba gave Igor his first professional opportunity.
He made his senior breakthrough as a teenager.
The club had enough confidence in him that it extended his contract during 2019.
Igor said at the time that Coritiba had helped him escape difficult circumstances and that he wanted to repay the club through his performances.
He played in Brazil’s Série B and later experienced Série A football.
His numbers were not yet spectacular.
But his physical ability, movement and potential were enough to attract attention from abroad.
Then came an important decision.
Instead of remaining in Brazil or immediately trying Europe, Igor moved to the Middle East.
Why Did Igor Jesus Move to Shabab Al Ahli?
In 2020, Igor joined Shabab Al Ahli in the United Arab Emirates.
He was still only 19.
That move may have seemed unusual to some Brazilian supporters, but it became an important development period in his career.
He received regular senior football.
He learned to play in a different country.
And he became a much more productive goalscorer.
Nottingham Forest’s official announcement later summarized his UAE spell with an impressive record: 43 goals and 20 assists in 88 appearances.
Different statistical databases count competitions in slightly different ways, but all show that he was a productive forward during his time with Shabab Al Ahli.
Igor Jesus’ Success in the UAE
Igor spent several seasons in Dubai.
His first full campaign was especially impressive.
He scored regularly and quickly became an important attacking player.
He also won trophies.
By the end of his UAE career, Igor had gained the experience of playing domestic league football, cup competitions and continental matches.
In April 2024, he scored a dramatic late winner for Shabab Al Ahli against Al Jazira in the UAE Super Cup, helping his team lift another trophy.
By then, however, his next move had already been arranged.
He was going home.
Why Did Igor Jesus Return to Brazil?
Botafogo agreed a deal with Igor before his Shabab Al Ahli contract expired.
He joined the Rio de Janeiro club in July 2024.
The timing could hardly have been better.
Botafogo were building one of the strongest teams in South America.
Igor arrived in the middle of a title challenge and quickly became part of the attack.
Unlike the teenager who had left Coritiba four years earlier, he returned as a stronger and more experienced striker.
That maturity showed almost immediately.
Igor Jesus at Botafogo
Botafogo became the club that transformed Igor Jesus from a good professional striker into a player known internationally.
He scored important goals.
He worked hard without the ball.
He helped lead the attack.
And his performances were strong enough to earn attention from the Brazil national team.
CBF statistics show that he scored five league goals in 24 Série A matches during the 2024 Brazilian season.
But raw league goals tell only part of the story.
Igor’s biggest contribution came during the club’s historic double-winning campaign.
Igor Jesus Won the Copa Libertadores
Botafogo won the 2024 Copa Libertadores, the biggest club competition in South American football.
It was the first Libertadores title in Botafogo’s history.
Igor played an important part in the run.
He scored during the continental campaign and provided a strong physical presence at centre-forward.
Winning the Libertadores immediately gave Botafogo entry into football’s global spotlight.
It also gave Igor something very few players achieve:
a continental championship.
Nottingham Forest later highlighted the Libertadores title when announcing his arrival in England.
Botafogo Also Won the Brazilian League
The Libertadores was not Botafogo’s only major success.
They also won the 2024 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.
That meant Igor finished his first year back in Brazil with both:
the Brazilian championship,
and
the Copa Libertadores.
Forest’s official transfer announcement described him as arriving with a “trophy laden” background after helping Botafogo complete that double.
For a player who had spent much of the previous four years outside Brazil, it was an extraordinary homecoming.
Igor Jesus’ Brazil National Team Debut
Igor’s Botafogo performances earned him something even bigger.
A Brazil call-up.
He made his senior international debut against Chile on October 10, 2024, in a World Cup qualifier.
And he scored.
Brazil were losing 1-0 before Igor headed in an equalizer.
Brazil eventually won the match 2-1.
The CBF described it as a memorable first appearance and noted that Igor had scored his first Brazil goal on his debut.
Scoring for Brazil is special for any footballer.
Doing it during your first international appearance makes it even more memorable.
Igor Jesus Against Peru
Igor kept his place for Brazil’s next World Cup qualifier against Peru.
This time, he did not score.
But he provided an assist as Brazil won 4-0.
That gave him:
one goal,
one assist,
in his first two Brazil appearances.
Nottingham Forest specifically mentioned both achievements when introducing him to their supporters in July 2025.
Why Brazil Liked Igor Jesus
Igor offers something useful for coaches.
He is a traditional centre-forward in some ways, but he is also active.
He can:
hold the ball,
press defenders,
make runs behind the defence,
compete physically,
and connect with attacking teammates.
He is not simply a striker waiting inside the penalty area.
That was one reason he fitted Botafogo so well.
His work rate helped the players around him.
And when chances arrived, he could finish them.
The Goal Against PSG That Changed Everything
One of the biggest moments of Igor Jesus’ club career came on June 19, 2025.
Botafogo faced Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup.
PSG had recently become European champions.
Botafogo were expected to face an extremely difficult night.
Instead, they won 1-0.
The goalscorer?
Igor Jesus.
He scored in the 36th minute after receiving a pass from Jefferson Savarino.
His shot took a deflection and beat Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Botafogo defended the lead and completed one of the tournament’s biggest surprises. FIFA called the result a major upset and identified Igor as the scorer of the game’s only goal.
Suddenly, clubs around Europe had even more reason to pay attention.
Igor Jesus Joined Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest officially signed Igor Jesus on July 5, 2025.
He signed a four-year contract, taking his deal through June 2029.
BBC Sport reported the transfer fee at around £10 million.
Forest had returned to European competition and wanted more attacking depth.
Igor arrived after scoring twice during Botafogo’s Club World Cup campaign.
His goal against PSG made the timing of his move especially exciting.
What Did Igor Jesus Say About Joining Forest?
Igor made it clear that he wanted the move.
He said he was happy to become part of Forest’s story and that he did not need much time to decide after seeing the club’s project.
He also promised to give everything on the pitch.
The most important part of his message was simple:
he viewed the Premier League move as the next step rather than the finish line.
Igor Jesus’ First Nottingham Forest Season
The 2025–26 season was Igor’s first full campaign in England.
He had to adapt to:
Premier League speed,
physical defending,
English weather,
new teammates,
and European competition.
Despite those challenges, he produced useful numbers.
11v11 records show that during 2025–26 he scored:
6 Premier League goals,
7 Europa League goals,
2 League Cup goals,
and
1 FA Cup goal.
That gives him 16 goals across the competitions listed there.
His European performances were particularly impressive.
Igor Jesus Became Dangerous in Europe
Forest’s return to European football gave Igor another chance to show his quality outside England.
He scored regularly in the Europa League.
Opta’s career data lists seven Europa League goals during 2025–26.
One memorable moment came in December 2025 when he scored a late winner away against Utrecht to give Forest a 2-1 victory.
His ability to score in European competition gave Forest another attacking option when matches became tight.
His First Premier League Goal
Igor had to wait for his first league goal.
It eventually came against Wolverhampton Wanderers in December 2025.
He headed in the only goal of the match as Forest won 1-0 at Molineux.
The Independent described it as his first Premier League goal.
For a striker arriving from Brazil, breaking that first Premier League barrier is important.
After that, the league feels a little less unfamiliar.
Igor Jesus and Brazil in 2025
His performances in England earned him another Brazil call-up in October 2025.
The CBF said Igor felt his football had developed since moving to England and that his goal was to earn a place at the 2026 World Cup.
At the time, he described playing at the World Cup as a dream.
Competition for Brazil’s striker positions was extremely strong.
Players including Endrick, Igor Thiago, João Pedro, Richarlison, Matheus Cunha and others were fighting for similar places.
Did Igor Jesus Play at the 2026 World Cup?
No.
This is an important 2026 update.
Igor appeared on Brazil’s larger preliminary list and remained in contention during the months before the tournament.
However, coach Carlo Ancelotti did not select him in Brazil’s final 26-man World Cup squad announced in May 2026.
Igor publicly admitted that missing the World Cup hurt, but said he would continue believing in his future and support his teammates.
At only 25, he still has time to return to the Seleção.
How Many Times Has Igor Jesus Played for Brazil?
Available records list Igor with five senior Brazil appearances and one goal through his most recent national-team involvement.
His only senior Brazil goal so far remains the one he scored on his debut against Chile.
That debut alone ensures he will always have a memorable place in his country’s football history.
Igor Jesus in the 2026–27 Season
As of September 3, 2026, Igor remains a Nottingham Forest player.
He started Forest’s first two Premier League matches of the new campaign.
Those games came against Leeds United and Liverpool.
FBref records him as starting both and playing 179 Premier League minutes, without a goal or assist through the first two league fixtures.
Forest drew 2-2 at Liverpool on August 29 after losing their opening match against Leeds.
It is still extremely early in the season.
Igor Jesus’ Playing Style
Igor plays mainly as a central striker.
He is around 1.80 metres tall.
He is not the tallest centre-forward, but he uses his body well.
His strongest qualities include:
physical strength,
pressing,
movement,
heading,
holding up possession,
and direct running.
He also seems comfortable playing in teams that expect the striker to work hard without the ball.
That helps explain why he succeeded with Botafogo and why Forest saw him as suitable for English football.
Is Igor Jesus Fast?
He is not normally described as an extreme speed specialist.
But he has enough pace to attack space behind defenders.
His goal against PSG showed this well.
He moved into the space, received the pass and quickly attacked the defence before finishing.
What makes him dangerous is the combination of movement and strength rather than raw sprint speed alone.
What Shirt Number Does Igor Jesus Wear?
At Nottingham Forest, Igor has worn number 19.
During much of his time with Botafogo and Shabab Al Ahli, he wore 99.
Transfermarkt’s shirt-number history records No. 19 at Forest and No. 99 during his previous spells.
Is Igor Jesus Married?
Some sports websites identify nutritionist Angélica Richter as Igor Jesus’ wife or longtime partner.
However, this part of his biography is much less strongly documented than his football career.
Major club, FIFA and CBF profiles focus almost entirely on his football and do not provide a detailed relationship biography.
Because of that, it is better not to overstate private details.
His professional football career is firmly documented.
His personal family life is much more private.
Does Igor Jesus Have Children?
There is no strong mainstream or club source confirming children.
Football-focused biographies generally do not provide public information about him being a father.
So any claims about children should be treated cautiously unless Igor publicly confirms them.
Igor Jesus’ Parents and Family
Igor has occasionally discussed the importance of his family.
His childhood connection with his grandfather’s fish business is particularly well documented.
Brazilian reporting also emphasizes the support his family and community gave him while he was trying to make football a career.
More detailed claims about the names and occupations of every family member are not consistently documented by strong sources.
There is no reason to guess.
What Is Igor Jesus’ Net Worth?
There is no independently verified figure for Igor Jesus’ personal net worth.
Websites may publish numbers based on:
estimated salaries,
transfer fees,
contracts,
and football-market values.
But a player’s transfer fee does not equal his personal wealth.
Nottingham Forest reportedly paid around £10 million to sign him, but that money relates to the transfer between clubs rather than money placed directly into Igor’s bank account.
His real net worth would depend on salary, endorsements, property, savings, investments and liabilities.
Those details are private.
Igor Jesus’ Career Timeline
Igor’s journey can be summarized very simply.
2015–2019: Coritiba youth system.
2019–2020: Coritiba senior team.
2020–2024: Shabab Al Ahli in the UAE.
2024–2025: Botafogo.
2024: Brazil debut and goal against Chile.
2024: Copa Libertadores and Brazilian league champion.
2025: Scores winning Club World Cup goal against PSG.
July 2025: Joins Nottingham Forest.
2025–26: Scores in Premier League, domestic cups and Europa League.
May 2026: Misses Brazil’s final World Cup squad.
2026–27: Remains part of Nottingham Forest’s Premier League attack.
That is an impressive rise for someone who is still only 25.
Why Igor Jesus’ Story Stands Out
Football careers rarely follow one perfect path.
Igor proves that.
He did not become a global star at 18.
He did not move directly from a major Brazilian club to Real Madrid or Barcelona.
Instead, he developed step by step.
Cuiabá.
Coritiba.
Dubai.
Botafogo.
Brazil.
Nottingham.
Each stage added something.
His years in the UAE gave him goals and experience.
Botafogo gave him major trophies.
Brazil gave him international recognition.
The Club World Cup gave him a goal against the European champions.
And Nottingham Forest gave him the Premier League.
Final Thoughts
Igor Jesus’ biography is still being written.
At only 25, he has already experienced more than many players manage in an entire career.
He grew up in Cuiabá and helped his grandfather around a fish business while football still seemed like a distant dream.
Coritiba gave him his first professional opportunity.
Shabab Al Ahli gave him four years of senior experience and dozens of goals.
Botafogo brought him home and changed everything.
Within his first season, Igor helped the club win both the Brazilian championship and Copa Libertadores.
Then he scored for Brazil on his international debut.
Then came the goal against PSG at the Club World Cup.
Then the Premier League.
Nottingham Forest signed him in July 2025 on a four-year contract, and he responded with goals across English and European competitions.
Missing the 2026 World Cup was undoubtedly a disappointment.
But Igor is young enough for that chapter not to define his international career.
As of September 2026, he remains a regular part of Nottingham Forest’s attack and has already started both of their opening Premier League matches.
For readers searching for Igor Jesus, the clearest answer is this: he is a Brazilian centre-forward born in Cuiabá in 2001, a former Coritiba and Shabab Al Ahli striker, a Libertadores and Brazilian champion with Botafogo, a Brazil international who scored on his debut, and now a Nottingham Forest forward trying to establish himself further in the Premier League.
Frequently Asked Questions About Igor Jesus
Who is Igor Jesus?
Igor Jesus is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Nottingham Forest.
What is Igor Jesus’ full name?
His full name is Igor Jesus Maciel da Cruz.
When was Igor Jesus born?
He was born on February 25, 2001.
How old is Igor Jesus?
He is 25 years old in 2026.
Where was Igor Jesus born?
He was born in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil.
What position does Igor Jesus play?
He plays mainly as a centre-forward or striker.
How tall is Igor Jesus?
Football databases list him at around 1.79–1.80 metres, approximately 5 feet 11 inches.
Which club does Igor Jesus play for?
He plays for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
When did Igor Jesus join Nottingham Forest?
Forest officially signed him on July 5, 2025.
How long is Igor Jesus’ Nottingham Forest contract?
He signed a four-year contract running to June 2029.
How much did Nottingham Forest pay for Igor Jesus?
BBC Sport reported the fee at approximately £10 million.
Which clubs has Igor Jesus played for?
His senior clubs are Coritiba, Shabab Al Ahli, Botafogo and Nottingham Forest.
Did Igor Jesus win the Copa Libertadores?
Yes. He helped Botafogo win the Copa Libertadores in 2024.
Did Igor Jesus win the Brazilian league?
Yes. Botafogo also won the 2024 Série A championship.
Did Igor Jesus score against PSG?
Yes. He scored the only goal as Botafogo defeated Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Has Igor Jesus played for Brazil?
Yes. He made his senior Brazil debut in October 2024.
Did Igor Jesus score on his Brazil debut?
Yes. He scored against Chile during Brazil’s 2-1 World Cup qualifying victory.
How many goals has Igor Jesus scored for Brazil?
He has one senior international goal in the currently recorded five appearances.
Did Igor Jesus play at the 2026 World Cup?
No. He was on Brazil’s preliminary list but was left out of Carlo Ancelotti’s final 26-player squad.
How many goals did Igor Jesus score for Nottingham Forest in 2025–26?
Recorded competition totals show six Premier League goals, seven Europa League goals, two League Cup goals and one FA Cup goal.
What number does Igor Jesus wear?
He has worn No. 19 for Nottingham Forest.
Is Igor Jesus married?
Some football websites report that he is married or partnered with nutritionist Angélica Richter, but stronger official football profiles provide little detail about his private relationship life.
Does Igor Jesus have children?
No reliably confirmed public information establishes that he has children.
What is Igor Jesus’ net worth?
There is no independently verified figure for his personal net worth.
Is Igor Jesus still at Nottingham Forest in 2026?
Yes. As of September 2026, he remains a Nottingham Forest striker and has started the club’s first two Premier League matches of the 2026–27 season.
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