Gabriel Martinelli, who has evolved into a world-class winger since his transition from Brazil’s fourth tier to Arsenal, still doesn’t receive the recognition he deserves in his home country. According to Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva, a key figure in the 2003/04 Invincibles season and a close associate of Gunners sporting director Edu, Martinelli remains underrated in Brazil. Having earned 89 caps for Brazil and won the 2002 World Cup, Gilberto understands the dynamics of Brazilian football.
Originally from Minas Gerais in south-eastern Brazil, Gilberto was among the early pioneers who ventured to England when it was not a popular choice among Brazilians. Numerous others, including current Arsenal players Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Gabriel Martinelli, have since followed suit.
Now in his fifth season with Arsenal, Martinelli has spent three under the management of Mikel Arteta, where he has developed into a dynamic and unpredictable wide forward. Despite consistently outclassing Premier League right-backs and bewildering Champions League defenders, Martinelli hasn’t secured the spotlight he deserves back home.
Even though Jurgen Klopp hailed him as ‘a talent of the century’ in 2019, Martinelli often finds himself as Brazil’s third or fourth choice left-winger, trailing behind players like Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Raphinha, and Antony. Despite his prowess, Martinelli made his first start for Brazil only in the third World Cup group stage fixture against Cameroon last year.
Gabriel Martinelli, who has developed into a top-tier winger since moving from Brazil’s fourth tier to Arsenal, still isn’t receiving the acknowledgment he deserves in his home country. According to Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva, a pivotal figure in the 2003/04 Invincibles season and closely associated with Gunners sporting director Edu, Martinelli remains underrated in Brazil. With 89 caps for Brazil and a 2002 World Cup victory under his belt, Gilberto comprehends the intricacies of Brazilian football.
Originally from Minas Gerais in south-eastern Brazil, Gilberto was among the early trailblazers who ventured to England when it was an unpopular choice among Brazilians. Many others, including current Arsenal players Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Gabriel Martinelli, have followed suit.
In his fifth season with Arsenal, Martinelli has spent three under the management of Mikel Arteta, evolving into a dynamic and unpredictable wide forward. Despite consistently outperforming Premier League right-backs and perplexing Champions League defenders, Martinelli hasn’t received the recognition he deserves back home.
Although Jurgen Klopp hailed him as the ‘talent of the century’ in 2019, Martinelli often finds himself as Brazil’s third or fourth choice left-winger, trailing players like Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Raphinha, and Antony. Despite his prowess, Martinelli made his first start for Brazil only in the third World Cup group stage fixture against Cameroon last year.
Gabriel Jesus, four years Martinelli’s senior, became a celebrated star by the time he left Palmeiras for Manchester City, scoring 21 goals in 67 appearances and winning awards like Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A ‘Best Newcomer’ and ‘Best Player’, which thrust him into the limelight.
In contrast, Martinelli has had fewer supporters advocating for his inclusion. It’s only after Tite’s resignation post the 2022 World Cup that Martinelli has consistently featured on the pitch. His impressive performances at the club level last season, scoring 15 goals in the league and nearly securing the title, finally made his quality impossible to overlook.
Despite this, Martinelli’s name doesn’t command the same respect as Rodrygo’s or Vinicius’, a situation likely to change as Arsenal advances further in the Champions League, exposing more people to his electrifying talent.
Martinelli is already making an impact in a Brazil shirt, having been included by Fernando Diniz in recent international breaks. He started both of October’s World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina, showcasing dazzling skills and securing his first international goal.
Brazilians will hope this is just the beginning, recognizing the Sao Paulo native’s importance. Martinelli’s rapid rise suggests he will likely play a crucial role in the upcoming Copa America and an even more significant one in the next World Cup.