Gabriel Jesus said he took a pay cut to ensure he landed his "dream" transfer after signing for Barcelona from Arsenal on Tuesday.
Jesus has joined Barça on a three-year contract after the two clubs agreed a deal worth up to €15 million (£12.85m) with a sell-on fee included.
"I took a significant salary drop, but it's a dream to be here," Jesus confirmed at his presentation.
"But it wasn't just me who had to make an effort to get the transfer over line, Barça also played their part.
"If you had asked me one month ago, I would have said it was unlikely this would happen. At 29, I didn't think I would have the chance to come to Barça."
Jesus' move to Barcelona developed quickly over the weekend after the Spanish champions failed to land their top target, Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez.
Gabriel Jesus joined Barcelona after four years at Arsenal. Getty The Brazilian says he only learned of the Catalan club's interest a week ago having previously had the chance to join them a decade ago before he signed for Manchester City.
"A week ago I received a message that it could happen," he added. "When I started to think it was a real possibility, I was so excited. Now I can't wait to start training and playing.
"It doesn't annoy me [being Plan B to Álvarez], it doesn't bother me. What annoys me is if people say I'm a bad guy, which has never happened in my life -- or if I am not playing football, that bothers me.
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"I have the chance to play for Barcelona, a chance I had 10 years ago and now life has offered me that opportunity again."
Jesus had made a strong start to his Arsenal career after joining the Gunners from City in 2022 but had fallen out of favour in recent years.
After suffering an ACL injury in 2025, he failed to ever really win his place back in Mikel Arteta's team, with Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres preferred ahead of him, but he insists he has fully recovered.
"The last two years have been really complicated after the knee injury," Jesus said. "I was out of the game for almost one year, but it's in the past. I feel good physically now.
"I recovered well, returned to action for Arsenal and I am 100% ready to play and give my all."