“I wanted to give him a hug and tell him that I know what he feels.”

Football, like any other sport, does not understand justice. In a final marked by the tactical duel between Luis Enrique and Artetathe performance of Gabriel Magalhaes He stood out above the rest of the protagonists. However, in the collective memory he will remain as the man whose failure in the decisive shot of the shootout denied the Arsenal the first Champions of its history.

Gabrieldespite the significant outlay—26 million euros—to remove it from Lille back in 2020, it also did not land in the Emirates with a big sign. “I am delighted to be here and I hope to make the fans very happy,” he promised in his presentation. He was barely 22 years old. But, along with the Odegaard, Saka y Martinelli who already made up that squad, strengthened the backbone of a Arsenal that was evolving at the pace that they have been setting.

He began forming a duo with David Luiz and, a year later, they already accompanied her with Ben White. But it was with the return of loan A cross in 2022 when both began to lay the foundations for what, today, is the best center back pairing on the planet. “Since he arrived and we started playing together, we have matured a lot. We understand each other and every season we try to improve,” he analyzed. Gabriel recently.

Since he arrived and we started playing together, we have matured a lot

Gabriel, Arsenal player

“If you ask me what I want from my centre-back, I want him to dominate both areas. That’s what makes Gabriel. “He defends like a world-class center back and attacks like a world-class forward,” he explained. Mikel Arteta about a Gabriel Magalhaes who, in addition to being the player he has used the most (22,228′) as coach of the Arsenalhas become the great threat that shines the blackboard Nicolas Jover. He is already, in fact, the fourth central defender with the most goals (24) in the history of the Arsenal.

Now, this is nothing more than a ‘plus’ in his game. “When you look at his presence, the way he leads the team, how he talks to people, his body language… It is no coincidence that he has evolved to become one of the best centre-backs in the world,” he confessed. Arteta. How would I say Ancelottiyour coach in Brazilis a pessimistic central defender. He dominates the airspace, does not shy away from a duel, is always well positioned on the field and, above all, enjoys defending.

Being the second center of this Champions with the most blocks made (13), the third with the highest percentage of aerial duels won (70.8%) and the eighth with the most clearances completed (52), his performance in the final was on par with those signed by some of the best centre-backs in the history of the competition. Immeasurable when it came to defending the area, he carried out up to 15 defensive actions —Between Mosquera, Saliba and Hincapie they made 19—without committing a foul or being dribbled even once.

He had never taken a penalty throughout his career. But he was grown. Enlarged Self-confident. Therefore, like the leader without a bracelet that he is, he requested to execute the fifth pitch. Due to the development of the round, it was not going to be the one that gave Arsenal the title, but rather the one that served to survive. He took a run, made a ‘paradinha’ to examine the intentions of of Safon…and his shot went over the crossbar.

Normally, the pitchers are Saka, Odegaard and Havertz. But, without them, other players had to step forward

Arteta, Arsenal coach

“It’s cruel, but that’s football. We win together and we lose together. Without them (he also mentions the penalty of Eze) we would not have won the Premier. They will not be the last to fail. “We have all done it at some point,” he acknowledged. Rice after the game. “Gabriel He wanted to take the fifth penalty. Typically, launchers are Saka, Odegaard and Havertz. But, without them, other players had to step forward. “We are preparing this moment,” he explained. Arteta.

There was no turning back. The dream had been shattered and he was in the photo. The players of the Arsenal they knelt, while those of the PSG They went out to celebrate… except one. Gabrielwith eyes soaked in tears, was comforted by a Marquinhos —they will form the pair of power plants Brazil in it World— which, minutes later, would raise to the sky Budapest the second Champions of the PSG.

“The first thing I thought about was the penalty that I missed in the last World. I know how difficult it is to live that moment. “It is an enormous weight that falls on your back,” he noted. Marquinhos. “I simply wanted to give him a hug and tell him that I know what he feels. I wanted to congratulate him because he had an incredible season. Soon we will be together in the national team and we need it,” remarked the captain of the team. PSG.

Time heals everything… but Gabriel You must learn to live with this photo. “It’s painful. But I’m proud of this team and what we’ve achieved together this season. Thank you to our fans and enjoy today’s party,” he wrote on his social networks. Due to his character, he is surely already looking for a way to heal this wound.