Gabriel Martinelli

Early career

Born in Guarulhos, São Paulo, Martinelli started his career in 2010, playing for Corinthians' futsal team. After making the breakthrough in football fields, he moved to Ituano in 2015, having subsequent trials at Manchester United and Barcelona. On 4 November 2017, Martinelli signed his first professional contract until October 2022. He made his professional debut the following 17 March, coming on as a late substitute for goalscorer Claudinho in a 2–1 Campeonato Paulista away win against São Bento; at the age of 16 years and nine months, he became the youngest player to play for the club in the century. Martinelli scored his first senior goal on 8 September 2018, netting the second in a 4–1 win over Taboão da Serra, for the year's Copa Paulista. Definitively promoted to the first team for the 2019 Campeonato Paulista, he scored six goals during the competition, being the club's top goalscorer as they reached the quarterfinals; highlights included a brace in a 3–0 away win against Bragantino on 15 March 2019.

Arsenal

2019–2020: Debut season and FA Cup win

Martinelli was reportedly subject to interest from a number of clubs but signed a long-term contract with Premier League club Arsenal on 2 July 2019, for a reported fee of £6 million (R$46.9 million). Holding an Italian passport, Martinelli was not subject to the scrutinised criteria required for English clubs to sign South American players. He travelled with the Arsenal first team…

On 20 May 2019, Martinelli was called up by Brazil national team manager Tite to complete preparatory training for the 2019 Copa América. In November 2019, Martinelli appeared for Brazil's under-23 side at the United International Football Festival in Spain. On 2 July 2021, Martinelli was named in the Brazil squad for the 2020 Summer Olympics. On 3 August, Martinelli scored Brazil's second penalty to help defeat Mexico in the Olympic semi-final, before becoming a gold medallist after Brazil defeated Spain in the final four days later. He was named in the 25-man senior Brazil squad on 11 March 2022 for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia. Martinelli made his international debut when he came off the bench for Vinícius Júnior in Brazil's 4–0 win over Chile at the Maracana Stadium. On 7 November 2022, Martinelli was named in the squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, making his World Cup debut coming on as a substitute for Raphinha in the 87th minute of Brazil's opening 2–0 victory against Serbia. Martinelli would be an unused substitute in Brazil's 1–0 victory over Switzerland, and would play the full match in Brazil's 1–0 defeat to Cameroon. Martinelli was involved in Brazil's 4–1 victory over South Korea in the round of 16, coming on as a substitute for Vinícius Júnior in the 72nd minute, and was an unused substitute in Brazil's quarter-final match against Croatia, which Brazil would lose 4–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw. On 16 November 2023, Martinelli…

Martinelli often plays as a dynamic and explosive wide forward, and is known for his acceleration, speed and defensive intensity.

Martinelli was born in Brazil, and is of Italian descent through his father; he holds dual Brazilian-Italian citizenship. Martinelli has been in a relationship with Isabella Rousso since at least 2023. In March 2025, they announced their engagement, and they married in July 2026.