Gabriel Martinelli

Born in Guarulhos, Brazil, on June 18, 2001, Gabriel Teodoro Martinelli Silva began his football journey at a young age within Corinthians’ futsal team in 2010. He transitioned to field football, joining Ituano in 2015. Martinelli quickly made a name for himself, signing his first professional contract with Ituano in 2017. He became the youngest player to debut for the club in the 21st century at 16 years and nine months, showcasing his talent by scoring his first senior goal in September 2018. During the 2019 Campeonato Paulista, he was Ituano’s top goal scorer, contributing significantly to their quarter-final run.

In July 2019, Martinelli signed a long-term contract with Premier League club Arsenal for a reported fee of £6 million. He made his Premier League debut on August 11, 2019, against Newcastle United. His debut season was marked by impressive performances, including scoring ten goals across all competitions and winning the Arsenal Goal of the Season award for a solo effort against Chelsea in a 2-2 draw. He further cemented his place by becoming the first player since Ian Wright to score four goals in his first four competitive starts. Martinelli continued to develop, signing a new long-term contract in February 2023. By the end of the 2022/23 season, he was Arsenal’s joint-top scorer with 15 goals and 6 assists, matching Roberto Firmino’s record for goals by a Brazilian in a single Premier League campaign.

Martinelli’s career at Arsenal has seen him consistently terrorize defenders with his pace, trickery, and ability to cut in from the left wing. In the 2023/24 season, he contributed 10 goal involvements, notably scoring the winner against Manchester City and a crucial goal against Liverpool. The 2024/25 season saw him hit double figures again with 10 goals and six assists, with a standout Champions League winner against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Internationally, he first represented Brazil’s U23 team, winning an Olympic Gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics. He made his senior international debut in 2022, participated in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and scored his first two international goals last season, also featuring in the 2024 Copa America.