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Igor Jesus arrived in MLS at the start of 2025 and is proving to be one of the best midfielders in North American League play.
He's only played nine games for LAFC, but 22-year-old midfielder Igor Jesus has already won the favour of the coaching staff and the players. Revealed at Flamengo and signed from Estrela Amadora in Portugal for US$4 million, the Brazilian has earned a starting place in the team and has had no trouble adapting to the United States.
The Brazilian's name was one of the topics discussed at the press conference held on Thursday (27). Among other things, LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo spoke about Igor Jesus' first impressions and how important he has been for the club.
‘Igor has already shown at a young age a high level of maturity, responsibility and functionality in a position that is very important to our system. And he also has the ability to learn and improve quickly. We see great potential in the player, who already brings a level of technicality, mentality and physicality that we need in the position. So the ‘sky’ really is the limit for Igor. I see him improving and progressing the more time we have to work with him and the more games he gets. So we're very happy with his start,’ said the coach.
🇧🇷⚫️| Não apenas os jogadores, mas também o técnico do #LAFC, Steve Cherundolo, elogiou bastante o Igor Jesus na coletiva de hoje.
— Cristian Moraes (@18Cristian_MR) March 27, 2025
O cria do #Flamengo tem potencial de ser uma das melhores atrações da atual MLS.@territoriomls https://t.co/x5CUIFtauQ pic.twitter.com/av2hDYFQZ4
Everyone loves ‘Jesus’ at LAFC
As well as Cherundolo, another player who praised Igor Jesus was right-back Sergi Palencia, one of LAFC's leaders. For the 29-year-old Spaniard, the Brazilian midfielder has been a pleasant surprise in the team since the first day of the season.
‘If you ask us (the players) who surprised us from day one, it was definitely Igor. He showed personality, learnt English quickly and adapted to the group. He has a great future,’ said Palencia.
Of his nine games for LAFC, Igor Jesus has played the full 90 minutes in six, picking up just one yellow card, without providing any goals or assists. On the other hand, the midfielder is among the club's leading players in blocks, tackles and interceptions.
LAFC's next match
LAFC return to action next Sunday (30) against San Diego FC at Snapdragon Stadium in the sixth round of MLS 2025. The Black & Gold are in 3rd place in the Western Conference with nine points from five games.
