Barcelona forward using the international break to reach full fitness and adapt to Flick’s style | OneFootball

After it became clear that Julian Alvarez would not arrive, FC Barcelona quickly moved to sign Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal in the final days of the summer transfer window.

The Brazilian striker arrived on a very economical deal, costing the Catalans only €10 million, while signing a three-year contract.

And even though he has not played a lot since his move, Jesus has already made a solid impact, scoring two goals in only 41 minutes across four matches.

Making the most of the international break

Now, according to AS, Jesus is using the three-week international break to get fully fit and learn and adapt to Hansi Flick’s footballing blueprint at Barcelona.

Although Flick has given the non-internationals a week off, the 29-year-old forward has not treated the period as a chance to switch off and instead sees it as extra time to catch up with his teammates.

Working hard. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

After all, Jesus arrived at Barcelona after having not played regularly at Arsenal over the past year due to an ACL injury he had sustained in 2025.

Moreover, prior to his transfer, the Gunners had sent him to train alone in the summer after Mikel Arteta confirmed to the club’s hierarchy that he no longer counted on him.

Knee no longer an issue

Soon after landing in Barcelona, Jesus made it clear that he was not dealing with any lingering issues with his knee.

“My knee is perfect,” he said at the time and has reiterated the same message in multiple interviews since.

Jesus has hit the ground running at Barcelona. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

And, Jesus has backed it up on the pitch as well, scoring two goals in the Blaugrana colours already.

However, more demanding tests are coming Jesus and Barcelona’s way. The schedule will be relentless as they play eight games in a month – Getafe, Galatasaray, Real Betis, PSG, Real Madrid, Alaves, Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid.

And that is what the striker is working towards. He wants to use these three weeks without competitive football to adapt fully to the exceptional physical intensity Barcelona have shown at the start of the season.

That means working with the fitness staff and completing individual sessions, but also understanding the details of the football Flick wants to implement in his latest Barça project.