Gabriel Magalhaes shows he is more than a centre-back

Brazil defender Gabriel Magalhaes showcased his playmaking abilities with a clever assist in Brazil's 2-1 comeback win over Japan at the FIFA World Cup 2026, securing their place in the Round of 16. The Arsenal centre-back picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area and delivered a pinpoint cross that was headed home by Casemiro, Brazil's holding midfielder.

Unlikely source of creativity

Gabriel's assist was no one-off. Throughout the match, he repeatedly stepped out of his defensive role to act as Brazil's playmaker, creating chances as his side chased an equaliser and then the winning goal. Casemiro noted the tactical adjustment: “We knew that in the first half, we needed to get more bodies into the box, because they were defending almost as a 5-4-1 and making it difficult for us to find a way through. In the second half, that’s exactly what [Carlo Ancelotti] asked us to do — get more bodies into the box, and that’s where the goal came from.”

Versatility at club level

Gabriel's attacking contributions have been a hallmark of his game at Arsenal, where he helped the club win their first Premier League title since 2003/04 and reach the UEFA Champions League final for the second time. The 28-year-old has often looked as much like a goalscoring centre-forward or creative midfielder as a centre-back, responsible for some of Arsenal's most effective attacking moves.

Standing at 6ft 2in, Gabriel is Brazil's tallest outfield player and one of the tallest in Arsenal's squad. His height makes him a primary target for set-pieces, a key part of Arsenal's attacking strategy. In the most recent Premier League season, Gabriel scored three goals, averaging 0.8 shots per match. More notably, he recorded four assists, surpassing the assist tallies of Arsenal midfielders Mikel Merino (3), Eberechi Eze (2), and Martín Zubimendi (1).

International impact

At international level, Gabriel has scored just one goal in 21 appearances, against Venezuela in World Cup qualifying in 2023. However, his playmaking has already proved decisive in this tournament, helping Brazil advance to the knockout stages.