Gabriel Dos Santos Magalhães (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɡabɾiˈɛw dus ˈsɐ̃tuz maɡaˈʎɐ̃js];[3] born 19 December 1997), also simply known as Gabriel, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as centre-back for Premier League club Arsenal and the Brazil national team. Known for his strength, tackling and aerial threat, he is regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the world. [4][5][6][7][8]

Gabriel Magalhães
Gabriel with Lille in 2019
Personal information
Full name Gabriel Dos Santos Magalhães[1]
Date of birth (1997-12-19) 19 December 1997 (age 26)[2]
Place of birth São Paulo, Brazil
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[2]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
Arsenal
Number 6
Youth career
2012–2016 Avaí
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2017 Avaí 34 (2)
2017–2018 Lille II 7 (0)
2017–2020 Lille 39 (2)
2017–2018Troyes (loan) 1 (0)
2018Dinamo Zagreb (loan) 1 (0)
2020– Arsenal 144 (16)
International career
2017 Brazil U20 7 (0)
2020–2021 Brazil U23 4 (0)
2023– Brazil 13 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:00, 23 November 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:36, 19 November 2024 (UTC)

Club career

edit

Avaí

edit

Gabriel Magalhães was born in the Pirituba District of São Paulo. At age 13, Gabriel began his career at Avaí but returned to São Paulo after a week due to homesickness. However, he reconsidered his decision and returned to Avaí after two weeks, eventually going on to earn his first professional contract at age 16.[9] He went on to be part of the team that won promotion to Brasileiro Série A in 2017.[10]

Lille

edit
 
Gabriel with Troyes in 2017

On 31 January 2017, Gabriel Magalhães joined Ligue 1 side Lille, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract. When he arrived, Gabriel taught himself French and went on to conduct most of his interviews in the language.[11] After playing several matches for Lille II, he was loaned to fellow Ligue 1 side Troyes,[12] before joining Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb, where he made just one league appearance for each club's senior team.[13]

Gabriel returned to Lille in 2018, starting his first match on 10 February 2019 against relegation-threatened Guingamp in a 2–0 win. He went on to make 14 appearances over the course of the season, scoring his first goal for Lille in a 5–1 win against Paris Saint-Germain on 14 April 2019.[14]

The following season, Gabriel began to play more regularly, forming a centre-back partnership with José Fonte. Gabriel was a starter in all six of Lille's Champions League group stage matches.[15] On 31 January 2020, he extended his contract with Lille until 2023.[16]

Lille manager Christophe Galtier spoke about the defender's patience, saying "I saw he had great potential and he was able to seize the first opportunity he got. He was hungry to play, and while he bided his time, he worked a lot. He's an example for other youngsters to follow. It's a sort of intelligence to behave like that. How often nowadays do you see players not working if they're not in the squad?"[17]

Arsenal

edit

On 1 September 2020, Arsenal announced the signing of Gabriel Magalhães on a long-term contract.[18] Interest in the Brazilian was reportedly high, with multiple clubs willing to match the valuation set by Lille.[19][20] Gabriel joined for a fee reaching the region of £27m after add-ons.[21]

2020–21 season

edit

On 12 September, the opening day of the season, Gabriel made his debut for Arsenal, scoring the second goal in a 3–0 win against Fulham at Craven Cottage.[22] Following his performance in Arsenal's 2–1 win against West Ham United on 19 September 2020, Gabriel was awarded Arsenal's player of the month award for September.[23] He won the award again in October after featuring in five of Arsenal's six games in the month.[24] Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta spoke highly of Gabriel's early performances, saying "you move him from France to here at an early age, without talking the language, to adapt to a new way of playing as well... [but] he has done it really quickly and is showing a great mentality as well."[25]

Despite Arsenal's poor form in late 2020, Gabriel was awarded his third player of the month award in December after his performances in Arsenal's 1–0 win against Manchester United on 1 November and their 0–0 draw against Leeds United on 22 November.[26] On 29 November, Gabriel scored his first goal at the Emirates during Arsenal's 2–1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.[27] Gabriel received his first red card for Arsenal on 16 December in a home game against Southampton, after being given two yellow cards in the space of five minutes for fouls on Ché Adams and Theo Walcott.[28]

2021–22 season

edit

Gabriel played in all but three of Arsenal's Premier League games.[29] He scored his first goal of the season in a 2–0 win against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on 30 October 2021.[30]

He scored the only goal of the game as Arsenal beat Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 10 February,[31] and also got the winning goal against West Ham in a 2–1 win at the London Stadium on 1 May.[32] Gabriel finished the season with five Premier League goals.[33]

2022–23 season

edit

Gabriel scored the winning goal against Fulham in the Premier League on 27 August 2022. He had made a mistake that allowed Aleksandar Mitrović to open the scoring, but his goal in the 86th minute gave Arsenal all three points in a 2–1 win.[34][35]

On 21 October 2022, Arsenal announced that Gabriel had signed a new long-term contract with the club.[36]

He scored the only goal of the game as Arsenal beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in November.[37] On 12 March 2023, he scored against Fulham again, heading in Arsenal's first goal in their 3–0 win at Craven Cottage. This was his third goal in four games against the Cottagers.[38][39]

2023–24 season

edit

On 17 September 2023, Gabriel made his 100th Premier League appearance in Arsenal's win against Everton at Goodison Park.[40][41] He scored his first goal of the 2023–24 season in a 1–1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield.[42]

Gabriel scored the first two goals in Arsenal's 5–0 win against Crystal Palace on 20 January 2024. The second goal had initially been credited as an own goal by Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson. Arsenal appealed the decision, and the Premier League's Goal Accreditation Appeals Panel subsequently awarded the goal to Gabriel. It was his first brace for the club.[43][44]

He made his 150th Arsenal appearance on 11 February, scoring the third goal against West Ham in a 6–0 win at the London Stadium.[45][46]

2024–25 season

edit

On 15 September 2024, Gabriel headed in a 64th minute corner in the North London Derby, sealing a 1–0 away win for Arsenal.[47]

The following week, Gabriel scored the second goal of two for Arsenal during a 2–2 away draw at Manchester City.[48]

International career

edit

Gabriel Magalhães represented Brazil at under-20 level at the 2017 South American U-20 Championship.[49][11] On 14 November 2020, he made his international debut with Brazil's under-23 national side in a 3–1 win over South Korea's under-23s in an international friendly.[50][51] On 17 June 2021, he was named in the squad for the 2020 Summer Olympics, but was forced to withdraw with a knee injury on 6 July.[52][53]

In August 2023, Gabriel received his first call-up to the Brazil senior national team by interim head coach Fernando Diniz, for two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Bolivia and Peru.[54][55] On 12 October 2023, Gabriel scored his first goal for Brazil in a 1–1 draw against Venezuela during the same World Cup qualifications.[56]

Style of play

edit

Gabriel can play as part of a back three.[17] Despite his height, Gabriel is known for being fast. Christophe Galtier spoke about Gabriel, saying "He has a lot of character for a 22-year-old boy. Despite his 190cm height, he is super fast and covers his side well. He is the player who has won the most aerial duels in the first part of the season."[57] Gabriel is also known for his distribution ability, generally looking to play the ball forward or to the left-back. In the 2019–20 season, Gabriel completed the most passes into the opposition half in all of Ligue 1.[58] According to his Lille teammate and mentor José Fonte, Gabriel "has to keep defending well by being aggressive, being well positioned, and not taking risks."[17]

Personal life

edit

In September 2021, Gabriel announced his engagement to his partner Gabrielle Figueiredo.[59] The couple got married in June 2023. Their daughter was born in March 2022, who they named Maya.[60]

Career statistics

edit

Club

edit
As of match played 26 November 2024[61]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League State league[a] National cup[b] League cup[c] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Avaí 2016 Série B 21 1 13 1 4 0 1[d] 0 39 2
Lille 2016–17 Ligue 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2018–19 Ligue 1 14 1 2 0 1 0 17 1
2019–20 Ligue 1 24 1 1 0 3 0 6[e] 0 34 1
Lille total 39 2 3 0 4 0 6 0 52 2
Troyes (loan) 2017–18 Ligue 1 1 0 2 0 1 0 4 0
Dinamo Zagreb (loan) 2017–18 Prva HNL 1 0 0 0 1 0
Arsenal 2020–21[29] Premier League 23 2 1 0 2 0 6[f] 1 0 0 32 3
2021–22[62] Premier League 35 5 0 0 3 0 38 5
2022–23[63] Premier League 38 3 2 0 1 0 7[f] 0 48 3
2023–24[64] Premier League 36 4 1 0 2 0 10[e] 0 1[g] 0 50 4
2024–25[65] Premier League 12 2 0 0 1 0 5[e] 1 18 3
Arsenal total 144 16 4 0 9 0 28 2 1 0 186 18
Career total 206 19 13 1 13 0 14 0 34 2 2 0 282 22

International

edit
As of match played 19 November 2024[66]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Brazil
2023 6 1
2024 7 0
Total 13 1
As of match played 19 November 2024
Brazil score listed first, score column indicates score after each Gabriel goal.[66]
List of international goals scored by Gabriel Magalhães
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 12 October 2023 Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá, Brazil 3   Venezuela 1–0 1–1 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification [67]

Honours

edit

Dinamo Zagreb

Arsenal

Individual

References

edit
  1. ^ "2020/21 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Gabriel Magalhães". Premier League. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  3. ^ "GABRIEL MAGALHÃES FORA DA COPA DO MUNDO. "SE ISSO FOI COLOCADO NA BALANÇA É UM ABSURDO!"" [GABRIEL MAGALHÃES OUT OF THE WORLD CUP. "IF THIS WAS PUT ON THE SCALE IT IS ABSURD!"]. YouTube (in Brazilian Portuguese). De Placa. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  4. ^ "The 25 best centre backs in world football - ranked". 90min.com. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  5. ^ Mewis, Mark WhiteContributions from Joe; updated, Steven Chicken last (15 September 2023). "Ranked! The 10 best centre-backs in the world". fourfourtwo.com. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  6. ^ "Best defenders in the world 2024 | Radio Times". www.radiotimes.com. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  7. ^ "'The pillars' – Real Madrid star admits Arsenal duo in his position have blown him away as he makes top 3 claim". Yahoo Sports. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  8. ^ Collins, Luke; Hepburn, Daniel; Ritchie, Calum (23 January 2023). "Ranking the 15 best centre-backs in the Premier League right now - in order". GiveMeSport. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  9. ^ "PROSPECT | Gabriel Magalhães | Get French Football News". www.getfootballnewsfrance.com. 21 April 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  10. ^ "Avaí Futebol Clube " Gabriel" (in Portuguese). 25 April 2017. Archived from the original on 25 April 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  11. ^ a b "Gabriel Magalhaes: Who is Arsenal's new signing? Why is he so highly rated?". Sky Sports. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  12. ^ "How Lille's Gabriel became one of Europe's most coveted young centre-backs". Unibet. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Gabriel dos Santos Magalhães" (in French). Lille OSC. Archived from the original on 31 March 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  14. ^ "Brazil - Gabriel - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". us.soccerway.com. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  15. ^ "Meet the towering Lille defender on his way to Arsenal". inews.co.uk. 23 August 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  16. ^ "Le LOSC prolonge Gabriel jusqu'en 2023" (in French). Lille OSC. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  17. ^ a b c "Gabriel: 5 things on Lille's up-and-coming Brazilian defende". Ligue 1. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  18. ^ "Gabriel is a Gunner! | Defender joins Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  19. ^ "Gabriel Magalhaes set to join Arsenal after £27m fee agreed with Lille". Sky Sports. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  20. ^ "Gabriel Magalhaes to Arsenal: The making of the Brazilian at Avai". Sky Sports. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  21. ^ "Gabriel Magalhaes: Arsenal sign Brazilian defender from Lille". BBC Sport. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  22. ^ Begley, Emlyn (12 September 2020). "Fulham 0-3 Arsenal: Gabriel & Willian impress on debut in Gunners win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  23. ^ "Gabriel is our September Player of the Month!". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  24. ^ "Gabriel is our Player of the Month... again!". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  25. ^ "'Gabriel is showing a great mentality'". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  26. ^ "🏆 Gabriel wins third Player of the Month award". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  27. ^ "Arsenal v Wolves, 2020/21 | Premier League". Premier League. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  28. ^ "Arsenal v Southampton, 2020/21 | Premier League". Premier League. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  29. ^ a b "Games played by Gabriel in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  30. ^ Kelly, Rob (30 October 2021). "Match report: Leicester City 0–2 Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  31. ^ James, Josh (10 February 2022). "Match report: Wolves 0–1 Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  32. ^ James, Josh (1 May 2022). "Match report: West Ham United 1–2 Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  33. ^ "Gabriel player profile". Arsenal F.C. 3 September 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  34. ^ Rogers, Jonathon (27 August 2022). "Report: Arsenal 2–1 Fulham". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  35. ^ Sanders, Emma (27 August 2022). "Late Arsenal comeback maintains winning start". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  36. ^ "Gabriel Magalhaes signs new long-term contract". Arsenal F.C. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  37. ^ Emmons, Michael (6 November 2022). "Arsenal win at Chelsea to return to top of table". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  38. ^ James, Josh (12 March 2023). "Report: Fulham 0–3 Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  39. ^ "Late Arsenal beat Fulham to restore five-point lead". BBC Sport. 12 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  40. ^ Rogers, Jonathon (17 September 2023). "Gabriel to complete Premier League century". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  41. ^ Rogers, Jonathon (17 September 2023). "Report: Everton 0-1 Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  42. ^ James, Josh (23 December 2023). "Report: Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal". Arsenal F.C.
  43. ^ Rogers, Jonathon (20 January 2024). "Report: Arsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  44. ^ "Arsenal defender Gabriel awarded second goal in win over Crystal Palace". Premier League. 26 January 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  45. ^ Rogers, Jonathon (11 February 2024). "Report: West Ham United 0-6 Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  46. ^ Rogers, Jonathon (12 February 2024). "The records we broke against West Ham". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  47. ^ "Tottenham 0–1 Arsenal: Gabriel Magalhaes heads winner". 15 September 2024.
  48. ^ "Report: Man City 2–2 Arsenal". 22 September 2024.
  49. ^ "Campeonato Sudamericano Sub-20 - Ecuador 2017. Lista de Jugadores" (PDF). CONMEBOL. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  50. ^ "Confira a lista dos convocados para os jogos da Seleção Olímpica contra Arábia Saudita e Egito" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Brazilian Football Confederation. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  51. ^ "Brazil - Brazil Under 23 - Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos and news - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  52. ^ "Seleção Olímpica é convocada para os Jogos Olímpicos de Tóquio 2020". Brazilian Football Confederation. 17 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  53. ^ "Gabriel Magalhães sofre lesão e é cortado da seleção olímpica". Globo Esporte. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  54. ^ "Fernando Diniz convoca Seleção Brasileira para a estreia das Eliminatórias" (in Portuguese). Brazilian Football Confederation. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  55. ^ Mota, Cahê; Zarko, Raphael (18 August 2023). "Convocados da Seleção: veja a primeira lista de Fernando Diniz". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  56. ^ "Autor do gol, Gabriel Magalhães liderou estatísticas do Brasil no empate com a Venezuela". terra.com (in Portuguese). 13 October 2023.
  57. ^ "Gabriel a changé de dimension et le LOSC est aux anges". LA VDN (in French). 11 January 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  58. ^ "Gabriel Magalhães: Who is Arsenal's Latest Signing?". Pundit Feed. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  59. ^ Ernest, Victor (25 September 2021). "Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal proposes marriage to his girlfriend Gabrielle Figueiredo". Futball News. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  60. ^ Ernest, Victor (2 April 2022). "Gabriel Magalhães of Arsenal and his lover, Gabrielle Figueiredo welcome a baby girl named Maya". Futball News. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  61. ^ "Gabriel Magalhães". Soccerway. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  62. ^ "Games played by Gabriel Magalhães in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  63. ^ "Games played by Gabriel Magalhães in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  64. ^ "Games played by Gabriel Magalhães in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  65. ^ "Games played by Gabriel Magalhães in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  66. ^ a b "Gabriel Magalhães". National Football Teams. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  67. ^ "Venezuela stun Brazil in late draw to end Selecao home streak". ESPN. Reuters. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  68. ^ "Arhiva sezone 2017/18". SuperSport HNL. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  69. ^ "DINAMO - HAJDUK 1:0". hns-cff.hr. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  70. ^ Rose, Gary (6 August 2023). "Arsenal 1–1 Manchester City (4–1 on pens): Gunners win shootout to secure Community Shield". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  71. ^ "PFA Premier League Team of the Year". Professional Footballers' Association. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
edit