Igor Jesus Strikes Again as Forest End 30-Year Wait for European Away Win
Igor Jesus’ anime-themed celebration is quickly becoming a recognisable moment across Europe.
A lifelong Dragon Ball Z fan, the Nottingham Forest striker honours his goals by recreating Goku’s iconic energy-blast move from the Japanese series.
He had the chance to perform it again on Thursday, scoring just 82 seconds after coming off the bench in Forest’s Europa League clash at Utrecht — his late strike securing a 2–1 victory.
The goal marked his fourth in European competition for Forest and his seventh of the season across all tournaments, reinforcing the 24-year-old’s impressive form.
“It was great to score within a minute of coming on,” he told BBC Radio Nottingham.
“On the bench I was focused on the game, and when the coach sends me on, I just try to give everything. I want to keep this going.”
Who is Igor Jesus?
Forest signed Igor Jesus in the summer from Brazilian club Botafogo.
His professional journey began at Coritiba five years ago, where the then-18-year-old netted three goals in 24 matches to help secure promotion from Serie B.
After finding the jump in level challenging, he made a surprise mid-season switch to Shabab Al-Ahli in the United Arab Emirates. Over four years there, he scored an impressive 46 goals in 92 appearances before returning to Brazil in July 2024 to join Botafogo.
Back home, he flourished. Igor Jesus led the attack as Botafogo claimed both the Serie A title and the Copa Libertadores, attracting major interest from scouts around the world.
His progress also earned him a first Brazil cap in October last year — and he scored, helping his country to a 2–1 World Cup qualifying win away to Chile.
South American football analyst Tim Vickery even dubbed him “a modern-day Drogba” after he grabbed the winner against European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup group stage.
‘Long may it continue’: Forest end a decades-long wait
Igor Jesus’ latest goal carried extra meaning for Nottingham Forest supporters.
It ended a 30-year wait for an away win in European competition — their last one coming at Auxerre in the UEFA Cup back in 1995.
The victory puts Forest in a strong position to secure a top-eight finish in the Europa League league phase, which would guarantee automatic passage to the knockout rounds.
“I’m delighted for the fans — they were fantastic,” manager Sean Dyche said.
“I’m very pleased with the players so far. We’re rotating the squad well and getting the results. Long may it continue.”