Gabriel Barbosa

Gabriel Barbosa, known as Gabigol, is an Olympic gold medalist and a two-time Copa Libertadores champion, recognized for his prolific goalscoring and consistent performance across multiple Brazilian clubs. After winning an Olympic gold medal with Brazil in 2016, Gabriel Barbosa, known as Gabigol, established himself as a prolific goalscorer recognized for his consistent performance across multiple top Brazilian clubs. Barbosa honed his skills after joining Santos’s esteemed youth setup in 2004, where his talent as a striker quickly earned him the moniker ‘Gabigol.’ He signed his professional contract with Santos in 2012 and made his first team debut in 2013, scoring his first professional goal the same year. His early impact was significant, notably scoring Santos’ 12,000th goal in 2014 and signing a new five-year deal with the club.

His exceptional performance earned him the prestigious Bola de Ouro award and the title of South American Footballer of the Year in 2019, leading to a permanent contract with Flamengo in 2020. Barbosa continued to achieve significant milestones with Flamengo, becoming the youngest player to reach 100 goals in Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 2022 and reaching an impressive 150 total goals for the club by 2023. In 2024, he was notably cleared by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in an anti-doping fraud case, reaffirming his professional standing. Looking ahead to 2025, Barbosa is set to embark on a new chapter, joining Cruzeiro, further cementing his legacy as one of Brazil’s most impactful and celebrated football talents.