PSG captain Marquinhos has named Arsenal center-back Gabriel Magalhaes as the premier defender heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Brazilian duo will represent their nation at the tournament, and Marquinhos was full of praise for his compatriot’s performances over the past season.
Gabriel played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s Premier League triumph, forming a rock-solid partnership with William Saliba at the heart of defense. However, his missed penalty in the Champions League final shootout against PSG resulted in heartbreak for the Gunners, who were also seeking a double.
Marquinhos, who was on the winning side, revealed that he consoled Gabriel immediately after the miss. Recalling the moment, Marquinhos said he felt empathy because he himself had missed a crucial penalty in 2022. He told Gabriel to hold his head high and not let the setback overshadow an otherwise incredible campaign.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the World Cup, the PSG star stated, ‘I was about to celebrate, but then I saw Gabriel in front of me. It reminded me of my own miss. I went over and told him he was the best center-back in the world this season. He should not bear the burden of that penalty because everyone wants to score. Nothing can diminish what he achieved this year.’
Marquinhos also urged Gabriel to move on from the disappointment and focus on the upcoming World Cup, emphasizing that Brazil would rely heavily on his defensive prowess as they aim for glory in 2026.