Arsenal’s prolific midfielder, Gabriel Martinelli has responded to a critic after he was called up for the Brazil 2022 World Cup squad in Qatar.
Gabriel Martinelli was told “nobody knows who he is” in a furious rant after receiving his call-up for the Brazil 2022 World Cup squad.
Martinelli, who was unfazed by the criticism, delivered a composed response to the critic.
Tite named Gunners duo Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus among the 26 players he will take to Qatar next week after their brilliant starts to the season.
The Arsenal star has scored five goals and grabbed two assists to help the north London club reach the Premier League summit.
His inclusion in the Brazil squad is seen by many as a reward for the leaps and bounds he is making at Emirates Stadium.
However, former Selecao midfielder Neto tore into Tite’s decision to take the 21-year-old to the Middle East, labelling it a “joke”.
The 56-year-old accused the Brazil manager of showing a “lack of respect” for Gabriel Barbosa by naming Martinelli in the squad instead of the Flamengo forward, declaring: “Arsenal are not even in the Champions League.”
Reacting to the troll, the Gunners playmaker insists he is “pretty cool” about the situation as he is confident in his own ability to aid Brazil’s World Cup campaign.
Martinelli admitted that he understands how Brazilians feel after seeing him make the squad with little or no precedent with the team.
He, however, admitted that he would prove them wrong when given a chance to feature in any game in the tournament.
“I think this is normal. Some people in Brazil don’t know me and it’s also normal to say that other players deserved to be there [the squad]”, Martinelli said.
He added he will replicate his Arsenal form in the national team at the World Cup to silence his critics and justifies his inclusion in the squad.
“I know what I’m doing at my club, I know my ability and I know what I can do. And you can be sure that I will do my best for the Brazilian team, in whatever I can help the team I will help. It will be a great experience for me”, the Brazilian said.
Although Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has not been called up to the Brazil squad, numerous Gunners players have been selected for their respective national teams.
These include England trio Aaron Ramsdale, Bukayo Saka and Benjamin White, and Martinelli is delighted for his club teammates, even though he may end up facing off with them in the knockout stages in Qatar.
Brazil will take on Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon in the World Cup group. They are top favorites to proceed from the Group stage and also win the tournament.
Brazil is star-studded and is a top favorite, including another South American football powerhouse, Argentina.
The World Cup kicks off on November 20, with 32 teams set to battle for the most coveted football trophy.
Brazil is not identified as one of the teams that is pressing for an end to human right abuse and discrimination against LGBT+ communities.
It is apparent that the South American giants will “focus on the football,” as advised by FIFA.
