Few moments in football are more painful than missing the decisive penalty in a major final.
Gabriel Magalhaes experienced exactly that heartbreak when Arsenal lost the Champions League final to PSG in a penalty shootout.
The Brazilian had been magnificent throughout the 120 minutes in Budapest, producing one of the best defensive performances of his career, only for his night to end in agony from 12 yards.
Thankfully for Gabriel, he had the perfect teammate beside him in the aftermath – William Saliba.
Now that you’ve all had time to reflect, why did Arsenal lose the Champions League final?
William Saliba reveals what he told Gabriel after his penalty miss against PSG
It would have been easy for Gabriel to let that moment define his night.
After all, the defender’s missed penalty was the final kick of the shootout and effectively handed the trophy to PSG.
But inside Arsenal’s dressing room, his teammates saw the bigger picture. No one understood that better than Saliba.
The Frenchman spent the entire season alongside Gabriel at the heart of the Gunners’ defence, forming one of the best centre-back partnerships in world football.
Together, they helped Arsenal win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final. That is why Saliba knew exactly what his teammate needed to hear after the game.
Rather than delivering a long speech or trying to force words of comfort, he kept his message simple.
Saliba said in an interview with France Football: “I told him very simply: ‘Without you, we would never have gotten here, we would never have accomplished all of this.’
“No need to say more, otherwise I have the impression that we are pushing the partner, that we are rubbing salt in the wound.
“And we’re talking about Gabriel, he’s an absolute warrior, that’s not going to make him dive, not at all.”
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Gabriel Magalhaes deserved to be remembered for his performance, not his penalty miss
Football can be cruel. For many supporters watching around the world, Gabriel’s missed penalty will be the lasting image from the final.
That is unfortunate because his actual performance over the previous two hours was extraordinary.
The Brazilian was immense throughout the game, leading Arsenal’s defence brilliantly and repeatedly frustrating one of the most dangerous attacks in Europe.
Without him, Arsenal may never have even reached penalties.
That is why Saliba’s message was so important. One kick does not erase an entire season’s worth of excellence, nor does it erase Gabriel’s contribution to Arsenal’s journey.
The defender played a huge role in delivering the Premier League title and helping the Gunners reach their first Champions League final in two decades. That is how his campaign should be remembered.
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