Martinelli silences 'nobody knows you' critic by reaching World Cup as Premier League champion

Gabriel Martinelli heads into the 2026 World Cup as a Premier League champion, delivering the most emphatic possible response to the critics who questioned his right to represent Brazil four years ago.

When then-head coach Tite named the 21-year-old in his Qatar 2022 squad, former Brazil forward Neto launched a furious public attack on the selection. Speaking on Os Donos da Bola, Neto argued that Martinelli — who had scored five Premier League goals in 13 appearances for Arsenal at the time of the announcement — had done nothing to deserve a place ahead of Roberto Firmino or Gabriel Barbosa.

“This is a shame, a joke! I feel ashamed! What is Martinelli’s story? 33 career goals,” Neto said. “Calling up Martinelli and not calling up Gabigol is a lack of respect. The biggest shame of all the call-ups.”

Neto went further, questioning Martinelli’s profile and his club’s standing. “The guy who scores five goals in the season, who walks around the mall here, nobody knows who he is,” he said. “What has Martinelli done in European football? Arsenal are not even in the Champions League. This is a calamity!”

Nearly three years on, the picture looks starkly different. Martinelli, now 24, has become a Champions League regular, scoring six goals this season as Arsenal reached the competition’s final. He also contributed to the club’s first top-flight title in 22 years, ending the campaign with one goal and four assists in the Premier League.

That form was enough to earn him a call-up from new Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti for the 2026 World Cup, alongside club team-mate Gabriel Magalhaes. Martinelli marked the announcement on social media with a personal statement.

“Today I realize one more dream in my life,” he wrote. “Being called up to the National Team is proof that all the effort is worth it. Very proud to represent my country in yet another World Cup. Thank you to everyone who has walked with me so far. This is just the beginning.”