Martinelli Responds To Being Told “Nobody Knows Who He Is” After World Cup Call-Up By Brazil

Arsenal star, Gabriel Martinelli‘s fine form for the Gunners was rewarded with a call-up to the Brazil squad by The Selecao coach, Tite on Monday but his inclusion was met with criticism from his home country.

The 202 World Cup in Qatar would be Martinelli’s first World Cup with his country.

He has scored five goals and provided two assists in the Premier League this term, helping the Gunners to the top of the first division.

But, although many fans were pleased to see Martinelli in Brazil’s squad, there was one person who didn’t appreciate his selection.

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Tite named Gunners duo Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus among the 26 players he will take to Qatar next week after their brilliant starts to the season. The former has scored five goals and grabbed two assists to help the north London club reach the Premier League summit as we approach the mid-season break.

Many view his inclusion in the Brazil squad as a just reward for the leaps and bounds he is making at Emirates Stadium. However, former Selecao midfielder Neto tore into Tite’s decision to take the 21-year-old to the Middle East, labeling it a “joke”.

The 56-year-old accused the Brazil manager of showing a “lack of respect” for Gabriel Barbosa by naming Martinelli in the squad instead of the prolific Flamengo forward, declaring: “Arsenal are not even in the Champions League.” However, the Gunners prospect insists he is “pretty cool” about the situation as he is confident in his own ability to aid Brazil’s World Cup campaign.

“I think this is normal. Some people in Brazil don’t know me and it’s also normal to say that other players deserved to be there [the squad]. But I’m pretty cool about it. I think this is normal,” Gabriel Martinelli told ESPN Brasil, per Sport Witness.

“I know what I’m doing at my club, I know my ability and I know what I can do. And you can be sure that I will do my best for the Brazilian team, in whatever I can help the team I will help. It will be a great experience for me.”

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Does Gabriel Martinelli deserve to go to the World Cup with five-time champions Brazil? … Kindly share your thoughts with us in the comment box below.