Nigerian wonderkid Gabriel Jesus David has set his sights on becoming the top scorer in the Belgian Pro League and making history at Royal Antwerp. The 18-year-old striker, who recently joined the Belgian giants, made his top-flight debut against Cercle Brugge and is already dreaming big. Kick Off Nigeria had an exclusive chat with the striker.
Gabriel Jesus David’s Ambition: Belgian Pro League ‘Goal King’
The P Sports Football Academy graduate made his first appearance for Royal Antwerp in their match against Cercle Brugge, coming on in the 85th minute to replace Guinean striker Mohamed Bayo. Speaking to Kick Off Nigeria, he shared his goals and determination to leave a lasting legacy.
“It’s a real pleasure to have made my debut in the Belgian Pro League against Cercle Brugge. The real work starts now because the coach has high expectations of me. Watching from the bench, I could see the intensity of the game. The style of play here is more challengingthan in the Norwegian and Swedish leagues, where I previously played. The Belgian league is all about technicality and speed. Without these qualities, adapting can be difficult.”
Making History at Royal Antwerp
David is determined to continue the legacy of Nigerian players in Belgium and create his own success story.
“What I want the most is to make history and ensure that Nigerians who come to play for Royal Antwerp leave their mark. That is key for me—to give a positive image of our country, just like those before me.”
“Now that Orseer and I have made our debuts, we want to keep making an impact. I’m happy with my start, and I hope to continue progressing. Personally, I want to create unforgettable moments with the club and ultimately become the Belgian Pro League ‘Goal King’. My ambition is to be the league’s top scorer in the near future.”
“I also want to break the record of being the first Nigerian player to finish every season with double-digit goals, a feat that no Nigerian has achieved at Royal Antwerp. Even though I only played a few minutes against Cercle Brugge, it confirmed that my goal is achievable. Now, I need to put in the work, fight for a spot in the starting XI, and everything else will fall into place,” he concluded.
Why Gabriel Jesus David Is One to Watch in Belgium
With his lethal finishing ability, physical presence, and determination, the 18-year-old striker is already being hailed as one of Nigeria’s most exciting young prospects.
His potential to dominate the Belgian Pro League, break records, and become a top scorer makes him a player to keep an eye on in the coming seasons.
