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Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos has opened up about the conversation he had with Gabriel Magalhaes following the Arsenal defender’s missed penalty in the Champions League final. The Brazilian leader paused his celebrations to console his national teammate, emphasising that one unfortunate moment should not overshadow an exceptional season.

Marquinhos chose empathy over celebration

Arsenal’s dream of clinching the 2026 Champions League title ended in heartbreak as they were defeated by PSG on penalties in Budapest. Gabriel, who had been one of Mikel Arteta’s most dependable players throughout the campaign, saw his decisive spot-kick fail to find the net during the shootout.

While PSG’s squad rushed to celebrate their historic victory, Marquinhos made his way directly towards Gabriel. The experienced defender recognised the emotional toll on his compatriot and decided to offer words of comfort before joining his teammates. Marquinhos later explained that his reaction stemmed from personal experience, recalling his own missed penalty for Brazil during the 2022 World Cup.

PSG captain shows support after Gabriel’s painful miss

Speaking from Brazil’s national team camp, Marquinhos shared the message he conveyed to Gabriel following the final. He admitted that seeing the Arsenal defender standing alone after the shootout instantly reminded him of his own challenging moment on the international stage.

“I was ready and prepared to celebrate,” Marquinhos told reporters. “But when I started running, I saw him right in front of me and my team going past him — the same image I had after my penalty miss in 2022.”

“That’s when I started thinking about my Brazil teammate, about empathy, because I’ve lived through something similar and I know the weight of that responsibility. I told Gabriel to stay strong, to keep his head high because he had an amazing season and played an incredible match.”

“I told him that, in my opinion, he was the best centre-back in the world this season. He didn’t deserve to carry that burden because every player wants to score when it comes to penalties.”

Gabriel’s outstanding season still stands tall

Marquinhos wanted to ensure that Gabriel’s missed penalty would not define his season. The PSG captain highlighted that the Arsenal star’s consistent performances throughout the campaign deserved far greater appreciation than a single moment in a shootout. He also pointed out Gabriel’s importance to Brazil ahead of their upcoming international commitments.

He added: “I told him that nothing from that moment would take away the fantastic season he had, and that we were going to need him a lot. Those were my words to help him overcome the disappointment quickly because we’ll be relying on him here soon.”

Focus turns to Brazil duty

Both defenders have now joined the Brazil national team, putting club rivalries aside as they shift their focus to international football. Marquinhos is eager for Gabriel to move on quickly from the Budapest setback and regain his self-belief. With the World Cup drawing near, Gabriel remains a crucial part of Brazil’s plans. The Selecao are set to compete in Group C at the North American tournament, alongside Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland.