Arsenal star hits back perfectly after being told 'nobody knows you' following World Cup call-up

An Arsenal star was a controversial pick for his nation's World Cup squad

Gabriel Martinelli was told "nobody knows who you are" by a former Brazil star after receiving his World Cup 2022 call-up. Martinelli, aged 21 at the time, was selected by then-head coach Tite to represent the Selecao in Qatar.

By November 2022, when the squad announcement was made, the young winger had already netted an impressive five goals in 13 Premier League appearances for Arsenal that season.

Yet, his inclusion still sparked debate, especially as he was chosen ahead of highly-respected players such as Roberto Firmino and Gabriel Barbosa. One of Martinelli's fiercest critics was ex-Brazil forward Neto, 59, who launched a scathing attack on him, claiming that nobody across the country would even recognise him, which suggested he hadn't proved himself enough to deserve a World Cup place.

Now aged 24, Martinelli has silenced his doubters by heading into World Cup 2026 as a Premier League champion. Having been named in Carlo Ancelotti's squad alongside his club team-mate Gabriel Magalhaes, there is no doubt that people around the world - not just in Brazil - will know exactly who Martinelli is.

Neto angrily told Os Donos da Bola: "This is a shame, a joke! I feel ashamed! What is Martinelli's story? 33 career goals. This is a shame, a lack of respect for football. Doing this with football shows that you don't deserve the position you are in.

"Calling up Martinelli and not calling up Gabigol [Barbosa] is a lack of respect. The biggest shame of all the call-ups. Calling up Martinelli shows that you, Tite, shouldn't hold the position you do, because you're not fair to Gabigol.

"The guy [Martinelli] who scores five goals in the season, who walks around the mall here, nobody knows who he is... And not taking Gabigol, the guy who scored the goal of the Libertadores title, who scored 29 goals in the season.

"What has Martinelli done in European football? Arsenal are not even in the Champions League. This is a calamity!"

Martinelli has since established himself as a Champions League regular, scoring six goals this season and proving key as the Gunners stormed their way to the competition's final. His Premier League form told a rather different story, however, with just one goal and four assists to his name, though he still contributed to the club's first top-flight title triumph in 22 years.

That was enough to earn him a call-up from Ancelotti in May. Martinelli took to social media to express his delight at the call-up, writing: "Today I realize one more dream in my life.

"Being called up to the National Team is proof that all the effort is worth it. Very proud to represent my country in yet another World Cup! Thank you to everyone who has walked with me so far. This is just the beginning."

Martinelli failed to contribute a single goal or assist across his three appearances at the Qatar World Cup, but will be eager to draw on his experience this time round. The forward found the net in Brazil's friendly fixtures against Japan and Croatia last year, and will be desperate to play his part in his nation's bid to secure their first World Cup triumph since 2002.