Gabriel Jesus is the complement to Neymar that Brazil has been searching for

Brazil has had a lot of problems during the Neymar era, and it would be inaccurate to reduce those problems to just one simple thing that needs solving. Their three pre-semifinal Copa America exits and World Cup thrashing at the hands of Germany suggest issues with all phases of play, as well as coaching. But if we had to pick out one problem that was both in serious need of solving and easily solvable, it would be a striker that complements Neymar.

Besides possessing every skill and physical talent you’d like to see in a top prospect, Gabriel Jesus’ biggest value to Brazil in how willing he is to be the facilitator that allows Neymar to be the best player on the pitch, and how little he has to adapt his natural game to do it.

The best example of this is Brazil’s fourth goal against Bolivia on Thursday night. Not only does Gabriel Jesus score, but he starts the move, then goes on a 40-yard sprint towards goal. Everything that happens with the ball between his pass and his finish is a bunch of Neymar magic. He laid it off believing that Neymar would work some magic, and he ran as hard as he could believing that Neymar would reward him.

Consider the competition before you get to raving -- Brazil is supposed to steamroll Bolivia at home -- but this goal is a very good example of what Gabriel Jesus brings to the team. It’s also a continuation of his strong play for the Selecao -- he scored twice in a big win away to Ecuador, and he earned excellent reviews for his work rate despite not scoring or assisting in Brazil’s 2-1 home victory against Colombia.

Neymar hasn’t had a striker like Jesus to work with since injuries destroyed Pato’s career. Fred is a poacher who tried to be something more, Roberto Firmino and Jonas are attacking midfielders who don’t fit Brazil as center forwards, and the likes of Diego Tardelli and Ricardo Oliveira just aren’t good enough. But Jesus brings a little bit of everything -- pace, work rate, creativity, and most importantly, an understanding of what Neymar wants him to do. Even though Jesus has spent most of his early career out wide, Tite recognized what he could bring to the team up top, and he’s delivered in a huge way.

It’s not clear if Brazil is “fixed” to the point that they can compete for a World Cup. Their center of midfield is still questionable, and most of their defenders are either old or generally disappointing. But they’ve plugged their biggest hole, one that’s been preventing them from getting the best out of Neymar since 2011. Jesus’ future is bright, and thanks to his emergence, Brazil’s might be too.