Gabriel Jesus has welcomed “the healthy competition” posed by Roberto Firmino for a World Cup starting place.
Jesus and Firmino are locked in a battle to start as Brazil’s centre-forward at the World Cup this summer.
The role has previously been filled by Jesus, but a combination of injuries and Firmino’s phenomenal Liverpool form have put those plans in doubt.
Firmino is now making a strong case to feature more often, scoring in a warm-up friendly against Croatia on Sunday.
Jesus started that match as captain and played an hour however, and remains likely to get the nod from Tite in Russia.
“I’m very happy for him, for the national team and for all of us Brazilians,” Jesus said.
“It’s good to have healthy competition. He had an excellent season I had only a good season due to my injury. But that happens and I congratulate him.
“I am very happy that he could score and it is like this if he is doing good, I will work to be even better.
“That’s a great thing to have, this healthy competition for the national team.”