Gabriel Martinelli Fulfils Father's Sacrifices to Become Brazil's Hero
Gabriel Martinelli, the Arsenal forward, has credited his father Joao Martinelli for his rise to football stardom. Joao, a former midfielder himself, saw his own dreams shattered when his family could not afford to enroll him in an academy, instead sending him to work at their ice lolly shop. But he vowed to make his son a footballer.
From an early age, Joao exposed Gabriel to the sport, buying him various balls and hanging a poster of Brazilian legend Ronaldo. He took his son to trials with Corinthians when Gabriel was six, and he passed, spending four years in their youth system. Later, Gabriel moved to Ituano, where his father believed playing time at a smaller club would benefit him more than sitting on the bench at a bigger one.
That versatility proved valuable at Arsenal, where manager Mikel Arteta has deployed him across the frontline and in attacking midfield. For Brazil, coach Carlo Ancelotti used him as a central striker in a 65th-minute substitute appearance against Japan. Martinelli scored the winning goal, embracing his father after the match.
“I don’t have words to describe the happiness in my heart. Seeing all the Brazilian fans, my mum, my dad in the stands,” Martinelli said. He acknowledged his father’s role: “My father always dreamed of having a footballer son. I was born when he was already 40, and this desire of his was still stronger than ever.”
Martinelli’s journey from the ice lolly shop to international hero underscores the sacrifices his father made. Joao not only nurtured his son’s talent but also taught him the importance of hard work and adaptability. At Arsenal, Martinelli has scored 41 goals in 191 appearances, and his ability to play multiple roles makes him a system-centric safety valve for both club and country.
“At Arsenal, I don’t play in that position, but I can do it. The coach has talked to me about it. I’m happy to help the team,” Martinelli said of his role for Brazil. His performance against Japan proved his worth, securing a vital win for the Seleção.
