The year is 2019.
An 18-year-old boy, previously rejected by Manchester United after 4 unsuccessful trials, joins Arsenal Football Club from Ituano FC for a reported £6 million fee.
He’s given the No. 35 shirt.
Few knew his name. Fewer believed what he would become.
🎶 “His name is Gabi, He’s from São Paulo, And he plays for Arsenal, La la la la la la la!” 🎶
We sang whenever Gabriel Martinelli hit the back of the net.
From relentless pressing to that crucial goal against Manchester City in the title race, he quickly became one of the key sparks in Arsenal’s revival, playing with fearlessness and energy every time he stepped on the pitch.
A boy arrived wearing 35. A star emerged wearing 11 to lift the Premier league title.
But why the shirt number 35 for an unknown 18 year old?
Because ladies and gentlemen, it’s been exactly 35 days since Arsenal won the Premier League title.
In 2016, Messi retired from the Argentina national team after heartbreakingly losing the Copa América final, his fourth major final loss with his country.
10 years later, he’s a 2x Copa América champion, a World Cup champion and now the all-time men’s top World Cup scorer.
What a turn around in his international career 🐐