Marquinhos sends message of support to Gabriel Magalhães after missing penalty

Marquinhos revealed that he encouraged his teammate, Gabriel Magalhães, to recover quickly after missing a penalty in the Champions League and to focus on the World Cup. Paris Saint-Germain won their second successive Champions League title last month, beating Arsenal on penalties, where Gabriel missed the decisive shot for the Gunners. Arsenal became the only team to miss two penalties in a Champions League final shootout (Eberechi Eze and Gabriel).

Gabriel had an outstanding performance during the 120 minutes before penalties were taken, registering the highest number of tackles (13) and winning 100% of duels (2/2) and tackles (1/1). Marquinhos experienced similar emotions in 2022 when his penalty hit the post in Brazil's World Cup quarter-final defeat to Croatia. The PSG defender immediately rushed to console Gabriel after the Champions League loss, offering support to his compatriot before they reunite again this season.


"A day later, I received a message from him thanking him for that moment, for the support, for the hug and for the words I shared with him," Marquinhos said at a press conference. "I told him that it was my biggest victory that night, and that the reaction it generated was incredible. My mother was proud of what I did, along with my wife, family and brothers. It was the best honor I received that night.

"I was ready to celebrate, but when I started running, I saw him right in front of me and my team passing by him, the same image I had after my [missed] penalty in 2022. Then I started thinking about my [Brazil teammate], having empathy, because I've been through a moment like that and I know the responsibility.

"I told him that nothing at that moment would take away the shine of the wonderful season he had and that we would need him very soon. Those were my words to him, so that he could get over that moment as quickly as possible, because we need him here soon."