Cafu backs Gabriel Magalhães to shine as Arsenal face PSG in Champions League final

Brazil legend Cafu has lavished praise on Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhães ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest, describing the defender’s qualities as “undeniable” and tipping him as a future World Cup starter for the Seleção.

Gabriel, 28, has been central to an Arsenal season that delivered a first Premier League title in 22 years, with the Gunners conceding just 27 league goals. He also contributed at the other end, scoring three times in the league and netting the opener in a 4-0 demolition of Atlético Madrid in October as Arsenal topped the Champions League league phase.

Speaking at a FedEx activation event at Heroes’ Square in Budapest, Cafu — who won the Champions League with Milan in 2007 — highlighted Gabriel’s two-way effectiveness. “The technical qualities of Gabriel are undeniable, which is why he’s been called up for the Brazil national team,” the two-time World Cup winner said. “He could be one of the first names on the team sheet at the World Cup. What makes him stand out is that he has as many qualities defending his own box as causing problems in the opponent’s penalty area, which makes him a very dangerous player.”

Arsenal arrive in Budapest six days after being crowned champions of England, and a victory over PSG would complete a historic domestic-and-European double. Standing between Gabriel and becoming the latest Brazilian to lift the trophy is a PSG attack built around Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué.

Despite PSG being widely regarded as favourites to retain the trophy, Cafu insisted the tie is far from one-sided. “What Arsenal has to fear is Paris Saint-Germain, without a doubt,” he said. “What PSG has to fear is Arsenal as a whole. Arsenal today is a team that plays compactly, a team that exploits counter-attacks very well, a team that knows how to both attack and defend, and not to mention that Arsenal’s set pieces are a total danger in the opponent’s area.”

Cafu stopped short of naming a winner, but offered a bold prediction on how the match might unfold — envisaging a 3-3 draw before the tie is settled on penalties.