“Plenty of kamehamehas” – Nottingham Forest ace reflects on adaptation and big ambitions

Nottingham Forest striker Igor Jesus is quickly turning his first season in England into something more than just a solid start – and his own words make it clear it has not come easy.

The 24-year-old, who arrived from Botafogo without even a proper break between seasons, has already hit 14 goals and worked his way into a regular role at Nottingham Forest. That return alone stands out, especially given he did not begin the campaign as a guaranteed starter.

Speaking to TNT Sports Brazil, Igor Jesus opened up on how he earned his place, the physical shock of the Premier League, and why he believes there is still more to come.

First season impact and earning his place

The Nottingham Forest striker made it clear things did not click immediately.

“Man, I’m really happy to arrive here in my first season and achieve all this, because it’s not easy to come here and play like I have,” he said.

“I had two or three games on the bench, then [Chris] Wood got a knee injury and the opportunity came. From that moment, I started confirming my place in the team.”

He did not want to be another player who needed a year to settle.

“I came with the mentality to play, because a lot of players arrive here and don’t play in their first year.”

There was also a physical challenge from the start. He came straight from a busy spell at Botafogo.

“I was also coming from a run of games at Botafogo, so that could have caused more fatigue and risk of injury. I didn’t have a holiday”, he said.

“But I prepared myself a lot more when I saw the level here is very high. I told my personal trainer exactly what I needed to improve.”

The gap was obvious early on, as he previously noted.

“When I arrived, the players were all strong and quick – it felt like I was years behind”, he admitted. “I feel much better now and I’ve improved a lot. The manager’s trust is essential for you to keep evolving.”

His numbers back that up.

“Being the team’s top scorer makes me happy, because many players don’t even play in their first season. I already have 14 goals, which is a significant number for me, and I want to keep improving to help Forest.”

Adapting to Premier League intensity

He kept coming back to the same point. Everything is faster at Nottingham Forest and in England.

“What impressed me the most was the speed of the game. It’s very fast, and you have only small seconds to make decisions.”

That forces a different way of thinking.

“Before the ball arrives, you already have to think what you want to do. There’s always someone on you trying to win the ball or make a foul.”

He gave a simple example of that gap.

“In duels with defenders, I would hit them and they wouldn’t even move. I thought: ‘What is this? I need to improve.’”

Things have changed since then. He says he feels much stronger. And in that context, one moment stood out for him. He pointed to a clash with Matthijs de Ligt.

“It was against De Ligt, from Manchester United. I collided with him and he moved, and I thought: ‘I’m improving.’”

That moment mattered more than it might seem.

“That shows you have the ability to be here and live all this. It boosts your performance and helps you reach a higher level.”

European push and survival fight

Nottingham Forest are still fighting on two fronts. They are trying to stay in the Premier League. At the same time, they are pushing in the UEFA Europa League, where they face Aston Villa in the semi-finals.

“It’s a huge opportunity to crown the season,” he said. “Avoiding relegation in the Premier League and winning the Europa League would be a dream.”

“But we go step by step. We know we have the quality, but Aston Villa are also a very strong team.”

Even so, the objective is clear: “We want to win the Europa League and stay in the Premier League.”

Dressing room influence and Vitor Pereira impact

The Brazilian group inside the squad helped from day one.

“Here we have me, Murilo, Morato, Jair, John. We’re very close, always together in daily life,” he said. “I was even surprised, because in some teams with many Brazilians there can be ego issues. Here it’s different.”

That environment made a difference.

“Everyone welcomed me in a special way, and that helped me perform well,” he admitted. “At first, Douglas Luiz helped us with translation. After he left, and with the arrival of the manager, it became easier.”

‘The manager’ is Vítor Pereira, who has been key.

“He’s given us a lot of confidence and shows exactly what he wants us to do on the pitch”, he said. “That’s essential for development. He has experience in the Premier League and understands how things work here.”

He also pointed to the level around him.

“Being alongside great players is very important, because we know we will learn a lot and become more prepared to help the team.” And the results reflect that. “He arrived well, and we’ve had six games unbeaten. We’re improving.”

Brazil ambitions and Ancelotti’s demands

At international level, the focus is simple. “I think first I need to stay healthy,” he said.

“It’s the final part of the season and many players are tired. I just need to be physically and mentally well.”

He believes performances will take care of the rest.

“I know what I can do to be in the national team. I’ve been preparing well and playing well. God has the best for us, he knows everything. If it’s meant to happen, I’ll be there.”

When he spoke with Carlo Ancelotti, the message was clear.

“He said he likes an aggressive striker, someone who presses and attacks the last line. He knows we have the ability to do that.”

So confidence remains high.

“Yes, I’m very confident [on the call-up]. Of course, Brazil has many high-quality players, but with the work we’re doing and the performances, anything is possible.”

What this means for Nottingham Forest

This interview helps explain why things have clicked so quickly. Fourteen goals in a first season is already strong. Doing it without a full pre-season makes it more impressive.

He has had to adapt fast. The speed, the strength, and the demands are all different in England. And Forest are still fighting on two fronts. That makes his role even more important in the weeks ahead.

“Hopefully we’ll see plenty of kamehamehas at the World Cup then. And hopefully also in the Premier League and Europa League as well”, said the interviewer.

Igor Jesus knows his fans love it.

“I only watched Dragon Ball from Japanese shows, to be honest. But I also liked Tom & Jerry.”

Jokingly, the interviewer asked if there is any chance of a Tom & Jerry celebration.“No, only the kamehameha,” he laughed.