"Unlocked his inner Ronaldinho", "Isn't from this world" - Fans react to sensational international performance by Arsenal player"
Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli had an impressive cameo when he came off the bench for Brazil in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bolivia.
Despite playing in Bolivia's notorious high altitude, the former Ituano man gave a good account of himself. Martinelli ran circles around the Bolivian defence in the 36 minutes he spent on the field.
The 20-year-old performed a variety of tricks and flicks, with one sequence of play drawing praise from fans. Martinelli picked up the ball and skipped across the challenge of a Bolivian defender. He performed a 'Marseille turn' in another instance before lobbing the ball narrowly wide of the onrushing goalkeeper.
It would have been an extraordinary goal had it went in, and Arsenal fans took to social media to gush over the display of their striker.
Gabriel Martinelli isn’t from this world. He’s running around Bolivia in high altitude like it’s nothing 😂
Gabriel Martinelli has unlocked his inner Ronaldinho, some of these skills man… 😮💨
Martinelli is possessed right now 💨🔥
@rehnato Martinelli should be our first choice CF period.
Yeh that Mikel Arteta superbolic time chamber is a full madness btw. Martinelli looking a 100m player atm. Next up ... Sambi Lokonga twitter.com/afcwajday/stat…
Pepe on fire for national team..
Ødegaard taking a piss out of players..
Martinelli unlocking his inner Ronaldinho..
Things you love to see..
#arsenal
Ødegaare, Martinelli, Balogun, Hutchinson nahhh bruvv this club is blessed with 5 star skillers for years to comeeee
Saliba & Martinelli debuts, Partey scoring to take Ghana to the World Cup, Odegaard masterclass for Norway, Balogun brace for England u21s, first international goal for Tierney, Pepe goal v France.
Up the Arsenal https://t.co/8kNk3NJEsK
The more I see Martinelli, the more I’m convinced he’ll become the best player in the world 👏
Arsenal fans will hope Martinelli keeps his good form up when the club returns to Premier League action against Crystal Palace on Monday night to continue their quest for a top-four finish.
Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli faces uphil task to be included in Brazil's World Cup squad
The Selecao were among the earliest nations to secure qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, booking their spot in Qatar in November 2021. Coach Tite has used the opportunity to test his bench strength. Gabriel Martinelli was rewarded for his fine club form with a maiden international call-up in March.
The 20-year-old has impressed for Arsenal this season, bagging five goals and four assists across competitions. He made his international bow when he came off the bench for the final 16 minutes against Chile on March 24. He was handed more game time in the 4-0 away victory over Bolivia on Tuesday, coming on for Philippe Coutinho in the 54th minute with his team two goals up.
Aquele abraço de boa noite! Hoje é dia de dormir feliz com a vitória da #SeleçãoBrasileira 😴🇧🇷
Foto: Lucas Figueiredo / CBF https://t.co/MaHkkB9lk8
Goals from Lucas Paqueta, Bruno Guimares and a Richarlison brace helped Brazil maintain their unbeaten run in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Martinelli, though, is an unlikely pick for Brazil's World Cup squad. The five-time world champions are currently overstaffed in attack and have a plethora of world-beaters jostling for a few positions on the plane to Qatar.
Neymar is his country's talisman and torch-bearer, and the PSG man is arguably the only forward guaranteed of his spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The likes of Richarlison and Roberto Firmino have been mainstays under Tite and could be given preference. Meanwhile, Vicinius Junior's fine run of form also gives him an edge.
The likes of Matheus Cunha, Antony, Gabriel Barbosa, Rodrygo, Gabriel Jesus, Philippe Coutinho, Raphina, Everton Ribeiro and Arthur Cabral are also in with a shout.
This highlights the selection headache awaiting Tite, but Martinelli has enough time till November to improve his standing in the pecking order.