Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus is bracing himself for a battle with Liverpool rival Roberto Firmino when the pair link up for World Cup 2018 duty with Brazil.
Two men currently starring in the Premier League will put their domestic differences to one side this summer when they head to Russia in search of global glory.
Gabriel Jesus has endured another injury-hit campaign with champions City, but has rediscovered his touch of late to find the target in his last three appearances.
He now has 15 goals for the season, which represents a healthy haul, but fellow countryman Firmino has recorded 27 efforts for Liverpool.
The Reds star is now a serious contender to lead the line for Brazil, but Gabriel Jesus claims to be welcoming the competition, telling ESPN: "In fact, this is good for me, for Firmino and for the national team. Then there's no way to cheer against a teammate.
"Of course I'm going to cheer against his team, but never against him. I'm happy with his season, with everything he's been doing. It makes me happy and gives me more strength to keep working and improving.
"I pray for of him and I hope he realises all his dreams. I hope that he arrives very well, very strong to compete in the World Cup. This will help him, me and the national team."
With Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar also set to come back into the mix for starting berths on a World Cup stage, following an unfortunate injury of his own, places in Tite’s side will be hard to come by.
It is likely that only one of either Firmino or Gabriel Jesus will get the nod, with the latter conceding that two hard-working frontmen bring similar qualities to the fold.
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Quizzed on whether they could pay together, the 21-year-old said: "This is with the manager, Tite.
"I think that it's kind of complicated in the starting lineup.
"Who knows? A test can be made at a certain time in the game but I think this is more with the coach."
He added on his playing style and that of Firmino: "From my point of view, I think that it's a bit similar way to play because I run to help and to defend like him, I run to attack like him.
"Of course, no one plays the same way, but I think the defensive skills and the way that we try to help the team are the same.
"Like I said, he's been playing great football and that helps me, helps him and helps Brazil."
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