Silent Guardian: Gabriel Magalhaes Masterclass Impresses at Arsenal

• He is a Brazilian professional footballer
• He plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Arsenal
• He won a Ligue 1 championship with Lille

Gabriel Magalhaes best known as Big Gaby is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Arsenal and the Brazilian national team. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he started his career with hometown club EC Vitoria.

During that time, limited opportunities restricted his playing time and seeking regular playing time, he was loaned to French club AC Ajaccio in Ligue 2 where he gained valuable experience, featuring in 30 matches.

After that loan, he had another stint with Lille OSC in Ligue 1 where he initially played a backup role but impressed with his defensive skills.  At the club, he established himself as a starter in their defence and played a pivotal role in their Ligue 1 championship win.

His consistent performance attracted the attention of top European clubs and was signed by Arsenal FC in the English Premier League, a move that had a major impact on his professional career.

It was challenging adjusting to the Premier League but he had support from the teammates he played along with, the likes of Ben White who helped him perfect. He earned a place in the club’s starting lineup and has contributed to the club’s progress.

Gabriel Magalhaes biography

Gabriel dos Santos Magalhaes was born on December 19,997 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where his career began, playing with a local club EC Vitoria. Gaby had loan spells with various clubs like Ajaccio and Lille where he gained experience as a top defender.

Gabriel Magalhaes. Photo/TEAMtalk

While playing for Lille, he helped the team win a Ligue 1 Championship before joining English Premier League giants Arsenal and has continued being a vital player in the team’s progress.

Gabriel Magalhaes biography

The player was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil in December 1997 where he began his youth career at the tender age of thirteen with Avai, earning his first professional co-contract at sixteen years, and played a vital role in the club’s promotion to the top tier best known as Serie A.

He embarked on loan stints in Europe to gain exposure with French Ligue 2 club Troyes and Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb the following year. The loans allowed him to adapt to European football, and his impressive performance attracted the interest of bigger clubs across Europe.

He had a breakthrough moment on joining Lille, becoming a key element in their defence and playing a role in their historic Ligue 1 title win. Gabi was signed by the English Premier League club Arsenal in 2020, where he presently plays as a regular starter, and also represented Brazil at the U-20 level and received a call-up to the U23 squad in 2020.

Gabi is a family man, married to Gabrielle Figueiredo and the couple has a daughter together. His nickname is Big Gabi, a name that came from his height, which seems taller than an average person and many footballers.

Gabriel Magalhaes’s career journey and contribution to Arsenal

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he started his career with hometown club EC Vitoria.

During that time, limited opportunities restricted his playing time and seeking regular playing time, he was loaned to French club AC Ajaccio in Ligue 2 where he gained valuable experience, featuring in 30 matches.

Gabriel Magalhaes. Photo/Eurosport

After that loan, he had another stint with Lille OSC in Ligue 1 where he initially played a backup role but impressed with his defensive skills.  At the club, he established himself as a starter in their defence and played a pivotal role in their Ligue 1 championship win.

His consistent performance attracted the attention of top European clubs and was signed by Arsenal FC in the English Premier League, a move that had a major impact on his professional career.

It was challenging adjusting to the Premier League but he had support from the teammates he played along with, the likes of Ben White who helped him perfect. He earned a place in the club’s starting lineup and has contributed to the club’s progress.