Gabriel Magalhães has received a powerful show of support from Brazil captain Marquinhos following the penalty miss that ended Arsenal's hopes of winning the Champions League.
The Arsenal defender was left devastated after failing to convert the decisive spot-kick in the final against Paris Saint-Germain, handing the trophy to the French champions in one of the most painful moments of his career.
While PSG's players celebrated, television cameras captured a touching moment as Marquinhos abandoned his own celebrations to console his Brazil teammate. Now, the PSG captain has explained exactly why he felt compelled to do so.
Marquinhos saw his own World Cup pain
Speaking after joining Brazil’s squad ahead of the World Cup, Marquinhos admitted the scene immediately reminded him of his own heartbreak during the 2022 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Croatia.
The experienced defender missed the decisive penalty in that shootout, a moment that remains one of the most difficult memories of his career.
According to Brazilian outlet O Dia, Marquinhos explained that as he began running to celebrate PSG’s triumph, seeing Gabriel standing alone instantly transported him back to that painful night.
“I was ready to celebrate, but when I started taking my first steps running, I saw Gabi in front of me. It was exactly the same image I have from when I made my mistake at the 2022 World Cup. At that moment I started thinking about my teammate.” — Marquinhos, via O Dia
The emotional connection between the two players made the moment particularly significant, given both are expected to start together for Brazil at the World Cup.
Marquinhos labels Arsenal star the world’s best defender
Perhaps the most striking part of Marquinhos’ comments was his assessment of Gabriel’s performances throughout the season.
Rather than focusing on a single mistake, the PSG captain insisted that the Arsenal defender’s overall campaign should be remembered instead.
“In my opinion, he was the best defender in the world this season. He didn’t deserve to carry that weight on his own simply because of a penalty.” — Marquinhos, via O Dia
The endorsement carries considerable weight given Marquinhos’ standing within the game and his experience at the highest level of club and international football.
Having followed Arsenal’s season closely, Gabriel’s consistency was central to the club’s run to the Champions League final and another strong domestic campaign. While the final outcome was cruel, it does little to diminish the defender’s broader contribution across the year.
Key Points
- Gabriel Magalhães missed the decisive penalty in Arsenal's Champions League final defeat.
- Marquinhos immediately went to console his Brazil teammate.
- The PSG captain compared the moment to his own World Cup penalty miss in 2022.
- Marquinhos described Gabriel as the best defender in the world this season.
- Both players are expected to start for Brazil at the World Cup.
What’s next?
Gabriel's immediate focus will now shift from club disappointment to international duty with Brazil. The World Cup provides an opportunity for the Arsenal defender to quickly move beyond the events of the Champions League final and play a key role in his country's pursuit of global success.
However, much will depend on how Brazil perform in the tournament and how quickly Gabriel can channel the experience into motivation rather than frustration.
Do you agree with Marquinhos' assessment that Gabriel Magalhães was the world's best defender this season?
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