Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli has been praised by Brazil legend and Barcelona right-back Dani Alves after the pair took to international duty together for the first time.
Tite called the Arsenal attacker up for World Cup qualifiers with Bolivia and Chile and Martinelli has impressed, drawing praise from Alves in particular as his excellent season continues. Martinelli has become a fixture in the Arsenal squad and is widely thought of as one of the Premier League's most exciting attacking talents.
Tuesday night saw Brazil beat Bolivia 4-0, leaving them six points clear at the top of the CONMEBOL qualifying table, with their place at the 2022 World Cup long tied up. Martinelli started the game on the bench but was brought on in the 54th minute in place of Philippe Coutinho.
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Despite now being 38-years-old, Alves started the game at right-back and completed the full 90 minutes. After the game, the Barcelona legend took to Instagram and shared a picture of himself and Martinelli in training, describing him as "my phenomenon."
Writing about the 20-year-old, Alves said: "Let's go my Phenomeno!! So happy to have you by my side!!! #GoodCrazyBoyzzz." In the comments, Martinelli responded with praise of his own, saying: "Come on brother, a pleasure to play with you."
Prior to the victory over Bolivia, Brazil also brushed Chile aside by the same scoreline. Neither Alves or Martinelli started the game, although the Arsenal man was given a 15-minute cameo from the bench.
This season has seen the youngster score five goals and provide three assists in 19 Premier League appearances, forming an exciting attack alongside Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe. His performances have helped them into fourth place with the prospect of Champions League qualification now a very real one.
