Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has received only his second international call up for Brazil, with the 21-year-old named in Tite's 26-man World Cup squad. Martinelli only made his senior debut for his country earlier this year but he is now set to represent Brazil at this winter's tournament.
Alongside fellow Brazilian team-mate Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, Martinelli has become a crucial part of Arsenal's attack under Mikel Arteta this season which has seen the Gunners fly to the top of the Premier League table.
While he has been around the Arsenal first-team picture over the past few seasons, Martinelli has really established himself this campaign, notching five goals and two assists from 13 Premier League appearances.
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Martinelli himself is clearly enjoying life in north London and he offered a huge update on his future recently amid reports surrounding a new contract with his current deal up in 2024.
After only making his Brazil bow in March of this year, Martinelli will be his country's youngest representative at the tournament (21) and is set to see a 14-year wish come true after admitting to Ian Wright and Musa Okwonga on an episode of 'Wrighty's House' podcast that he was told by his Dad at the age of seven, he would playing at a World Cup when he was 21.
When asked about what the World Cup meant to him back in June 2022, Martinelli said: "I am trying everything to go to the world cup. When I was 7 my dad told me that when I am 21, there will be a world cup and you're going to be playing".
Brazil manager Tite spoke on Martinelli's late inclusion to the squad highlighting three reasons as to why he was called up.
He said: “We like Martinelli aggressiveness. He’s one of the top players at Arsenal, the first placed in the Premier League. He’s good on 1v1, very rapid in transitions, he’s been keeping a good level."
Brazil will kick off their World Cup campaign against Serbia on Thursday, November 24 before taking on Switzerland and Cameroon in the following ten days.
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