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Gabriel Barbosa
Gabriel Barbosa
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Gabriel Barbosa Almeida (born 30 August 1996), commonly known as Gabigol or Gabi, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Cruzeiro.

Key Information

A graduate of the Santos academy, Gabriel made his professional debut at the age of 16 and made over 200 appearances for the club across all competitions. Playing for Flamengo since 2019, he quickly became a fan favourite after scoring twice in the dying minutes of the 2019 Copa Libertadores final, and then scoring the only goal of the 2022 final. After six seasons with Flamengo, he joined fellow Brazilian club Cruzeiro.

Club career

[edit]

Early career

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Born in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Gabriel joined Santos's youth setup in 2004, at the age of 8;[2] his prolific goalscoring with the club's youth sides saw him earn the nickname Gabigol.[3] On 25 September 2012, he signed a professional contract, with a €50 million buyout clause,[4] and made his first team debut on 17 January of the following year, in a friendly match against Grêmio Barueri.[5]

Santos

[edit]
Gabriel playing for Santos in 2018

On 26 May 2013, Gabriel made his league debut, at only 16 years old, in a 0–0 draw against Flamengo.[6] He scored his first professional goal on 22 August, netting the game's only goal in a home success against Grêmio, for the year's Copa do Brasil.

On 1 February 2014, Gabriel scored a brace and Santos' 12,000th goal in a 5–1 victory against Botafogo-SP, for that year's Campeonato Paulista championship.[7] He finished the tournament with seven goals, as Peixe finished second.

Gabriel netted his first Série A goal on 20 April 2014, scoring his side's only in a 1–1 home draw against Sport Recife.[8] He signed a new five-year deal with the club on 23 September,[9] and finished the season with 21 goals, ten ahead of high-spending Leandro Damião.

After starting the 2015 campaign on the bench, Gabriel was appointed as first-choice after the departure of Robinho. He scored ten goals in the year's Brasileirão, and was the top scorer in Copa do Brasil with eight goals, with highlights including braces against Sport Recife, Joinville and Atlético Mineiro, and the winner in the first leg of the national cup's final against Palmeiras. His impressive form for the season with Santos also saw him named by Spanish sport magazine Don Balón as one of 101 best young talents in world football in 2015[10]

Gabriel started the 2016 season with two consecutive goals, against São Bernardo and Ponte Preta. On 24 April he scored a double in a 2–2 home draw against Palmeiras (3–2 win on penalties), as his side reached the finals of the Paulistão for the eight consecutive time.[11]

Inter Milan

[edit]

On 27 August 2016, after being warmly welcomed by Inter Milan fans when he landed in Milan the day before, Gabriel signed for Inter Milan on a five-year contract in a deal reportedly worth €29.5m.[12]

On 22 September 2016, the club officially introduced Gabigol as an Inter player in the auditorium Pirelli with a media show: the striker entered the press room after a video showing him below the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro and then on Milan rooftops, clearly evoking the spot Inter had realized to introduce Il Fenomeno Ronaldo in the past.[13]

Gabigol made his first appearance on 25 September 2016, subbing Candreva in the 73rd minute.[14] He scored his first goal for Inter on 19 February after coming on as a substitute in a 1–0 away victory against Bologna.[15]

Benfica (loan)

[edit]

On 31 August 2017, Gabriel joined Portuguese club Benfica on a season-long loan deal.[16] He made his debut on 12 September in a UEFA Champions League match against CSKA Moscow, replacing Álex Grimaldo in the 77th minute.[17]

Gabriel made his Primeira Liga debut in a 2–1 loss at Boavista on 16 September 2017; he replaced Andrija Zivkovic, again in the 77th minute.[18] He left the club in January with just 165 minutes of playtime and one goal scored, against Olhanense for the Taça de Portugal.[19]

Return to Santos (loan)

[edit]

On 25 January 2018, Gabriel's former club Santos announced that they had reached an agreement with Inter for his return to the club on a one-year loan deal.[20] He made his re-debut for the club on 11 February, starting and scoring his team's second in a 2–2 away draw against Ferroviária.

Gabriel made his Copa Libertadores debut on 1 March 2018, starting in a 2–0 away loss against Real Garcilaso.[21] On 11 May, he scored a hat-trick – the first of his professional career – in a 5–1 home routing of Luverdense, for the year's national cup.[22]

On 1 September 2018, Gabriel scored all his team's goals in a 3–0 away win against Vasco da Gama.[23]

Flamengo (loan)

[edit]
Gabriel playing for Flamengo

On 11 January 2019, Flamengo officially announced an agreement with Inter Milan to sign Gabriel on loan until 31 December 2019.[24][25]

Gabriel debuted for Flamengo on 23 January 2019 in a Campeonato Carioca 1–1 draw against Resende, he started the match and played all 90 minutes.[26] He scored his first goal for Flamengo on 24 February 2019 in a 4–1 win against Americano,[27] this was the first match of a six-game streak scoring including goals in Copa Libertadores matches against San José[28] and LDU Quito[29] and a brace against Portuguesa (RJ) and Madureira in the Campeonato Carioca. Flamengo won the 2019 Campeonato Carioca with Gabriel scoring 7 goals in 12 matches, also being selected to the tournament team of the year.[30]

On 23 November 2019, Gabriel scored two late goals in the 2019 Copa Libertadores Final, in a 2–1 win over River Plate, when he was also sent off in the game, and became the top scorer of the competition with nine goals.[31] Less than 24 hours later, Flamengo became champions of the Campeonato Brasileiro, with Gabriel having scored 25 league goals in the championship and becoming the first player since Túlio Maravilha in 1995 to be the nation's top goalscorer in two consecutive years; he also became the top goalscorer of the Brasileirão in the double round-robin-era, established in 2003.

Flamengo's supporters quickly adopted Gabriel as one of their favourite players and chanted the slogan Hoje tem gol do Gabigol (today Gabigol will score) frequently in the stadiums.[32] He was awarded with the Bola de Ouro award for his efforts in Brazil[33] and was crowned South American Footballer of the Year by Uruguayan newspaper El País.[34]

Flamengo

[edit]

On 27 January 2020, Flamengo announced that the club agreed on a permanent transfer and Gabriel signed a contract with the club until December 2024 with a deal reportedly worth €17.5m.[35]

On 4 September 2022, Gabriel became the youngest player to reach 100 goals in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.[36] On this date, Flamengo and Ceará drew 1–1, at Maracanã, in the 25th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro.

On 1 July 2023, Flamengo won a Campeonato Brasileiro Série A match against Fortaleza at home 2–0, with Gabriel scoring the first goal of the evening and reaching the mark of 150 total goals for Flamengo, becoming the ninth player in club's history to achieve this number.[37]

On 24 March 2024, the Brazilian Doping Control Authority voted to suspend Gabriel for two years for attempted anti-doping fraud, after he was accused of making it difficult to carry out an anti-doping test before a Flamengo game in the Rio De Janeiro state league. The anti-doping body added that the ban would count from the date of the violation which occurred on 8 April 2023. Gabriel issued a statement denying the allegations stating he has "never tried to obstruct or defraud any test" and that he plans to appeal the decision with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Flamengo said in a separate statement that they were surprised by the verdict and would support the player with his appeal "because there was no type of fraud".[38][39] On 30 April 2024, CAS stayed the execution of the ban and cleared Gabriel to play, pending an appeal hearing and conclusion of the arbitration.[40][41]

Cruzeiro

[edit]

On 1 January 2025, Cruzeiro announced Gabriel as their new player.[citation needed]

International career

[edit]
Gabriel in 2016
Gabriel at the 2016 Olympics

Youth

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In November 2011, Gabriel was called up to Brazil under-15s.[42] On 20 June 2013, he appeared with the under-17s in a tournament in Miami.[43]

On 22 July 2014, Gabriel was called up to the under-20s for the year's L'Alcúdia International Football Tournament.[44] He was the competition's top scorer,[45] but missed the final 2–0 win over Levante due to a dismissal in the previous game against Argentina.[46]

Gabriel was also included in Alexandre Gallo's 23-man squad for the 2015 South American U-20 Championship held in Uruguay.[47] He scored his first goal in the competition on 20 January 2015, netting the last in a 2–0 win against Venezuela.[48]

In 2015, Gabriel was also called up for friendlies with the under-23 side, scoring six goals in only four matches. He was also part of the host team that won a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics under manager Rogério Micale.[49][50][51]

Gabriel scored a brace for Brazil in their final group game against Denmark in an eventual 4–0 win.

Senior

[edit]

On 26 March 2016, Gabriel received his first call up to the full squad, replacing suspended Neymar for a 2018 World Cup Qualifier against Paraguay.[52] However, he was only an unused substitute in the 2–2 draw at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asunción.

On 5 May 2016, Gabriel was called up by manager Dunga to participate in the Copa América Centenario to be held in the United States, describing the call-up as a "dream".[53][54] He made his full international debut on 29 May, replacing goalscorer Jonas and scoring the last in a 2–0 friendly win over Panama.

On 20 September 2019, Gabriel was called up by manager Tite for a pair of friendlies against Senegal and Nigeria played in Singapore.[55] Gabriel was the top goalscorer of the Campeonato Brasileiro with first-place Flamengo at the time. He came on in substitute for Roberto Firmino against Nigeria.

On 6 March 2020, Gabriel was again called by Tite for the first two matches of 2022 World Cup Qualifiers against Bolivia and Peru.[56] He was called up along with the other members of Flamengo's attacking trio, Bruno Henrique and Éverton Ribeiro.

In June 2021, he was included in Brazil's squad for the 2021 Copa América on home soil.[57] On 13 June, in Brazil's opening group match of the tournament, he scored the final goal in a 3–0 win over Venezuela.[58] On 10 July, he made a substitute appearance in his nation's 1–0 defeat to rivals Argentina in the final.[59]

Playing style

[edit]

Considered to be a talented prospect, Gabriel is known for his technical skills, creativity and use of tricks on the ball; due to his flair and flamboyant playing style, he was dubbed the "next Neymar" by the media in 2016.[3][60][61]

During his time with Santos and Flamengo, Gabriel's role on the pitch has evolved; originally a supporting forward capable of playing with his back to goal or on the wing, he transformed into a full-on striker with the main task of finding space inside the opponent's penalty box and poaching goals. Besides his goalscoring and positioning in attack, his physique also improved, leading him to start winning more aerial duels.[62][63]

Due to recent changes in his style of play, he has been compared to Mauro Icardi, his former teammate at Inter Milan.[64]

A controversial figure, he struggled to make the grade in Europe. South American football expert Tim Vickery was damning with his verdict: “He’s 25 already, he had one go already in Europe with Inter Milan and Benfica, and it was an absolute disaster. People spoke very badly of him, if he was chocolate he would eat himself, he swanned around like he was Pretty Boy Floyd."[65]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 20 November 2025[66]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League State league[a] National cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Santos 2013 Série A 11 1 0 0 2 1 13 2
2014 31 8 18 7 7 6 56 21
2015 30 10 12 3 14 8 56 21
2016 11 5 17 7 1 0 29 12
Total 83 24 47 17 24 15 154 56
Inter Milan 2016–17 Serie A 9 1 1 0 0 0 10 1
Benfica (loan) 2017–18 Primeira Liga 1 0 1 1 2[c] 0 1[d] 0 5 1
Santos (loan) 2018 Série A 35 18 8 4 3 4 7[e] 1 53 27
Flamengo (loan) 2019 Série A 29 25 12 7 4 2 12[e] 9 2[f] 0 59 43
Flamengo 2020 Série A 25 14 10 8 1 1 5[e] 2 2[g] 2 43 27
2021 18 12 8 8 5 2 13[e] 11 1[h] 1 45 34
2022 29 11 12 9 9 2 12[e] 6 1[h] 1 63 29
2023 26 5 11 5 9 4 7[e] 2 5[i] 4 58 20
2024 19 4 8 2 7 2 4[e] 0 38 8
Total 146 71 61 39 35 13 53 30 11 8 306 161
Cruzeiro 2025 Série A 27 6 7 5 6 0 4[j] 2 44 13
Career total 301 120 123 65 70 33 66 33 12 8 572 259
  1. ^ Includes Campeonato Paulista, Campeonato Carioca, Campeonato Mineiro
  2. ^ Includes Copa do Brasil, Coppa Italia, Taça de Portugal
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  4. ^ Appearance in Taça da Liga
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Appearances in Copa Libertadores
  6. ^ Appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
  7. ^ One appearance and one goal in Supercopa do Brasil, one appearance and one goal in Recopa Sudamericana
  8. ^ a b Appearance in Supercopa do Brasil
  9. ^ One appearance and two goals in Supercopa do Brasil, two appearances and two goals in FIFA Club World Cup, two appearances in Recopa Sudamericana
  10. ^ Appearances in Copa Sudamericana

International

[edit]
As of match played 27 January 2022[67]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Brazil 2016 4 2
2019 1 0
2021 12 3
2022 1 0
Total 18 5
Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Gabriel goal.
List of international goals scored by Gabriel Barbosa[67]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 29 May 2016 Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, United States  Panama 2–0 2–0 Friendly
2 8 June 2016 Camping World Stadium, Orlando, United States  Haiti 4–0 7–1 Copa América Centenario
3 13 June 2021 Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha, Brasília, Brazil  Venezuela 3–0 3–0 2021 Copa América
4 7 October 2021 Estadio Olímpico de la UCV, Caracas, Venezuela  Venezuela 2–1 3–1 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
5 14 October 2021 Arena da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil  Uruguay 4–1 4–1 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Gabriel Barbosa Almeida, known as Gabigol, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Santos in the , on loan from Cruzeiro. Born on 30 August 1996 in , , he stands at 178 cm tall and is left-footed, renowned for his clinical finishing and has been a top goalscorer in Brazilian football on ten occasions. Barbosa rose through the Santos youth academy, making his senior debut in March 2013 at age 16 and going on to score 42 goals in 118 appearances over his first stint, contributing to two titles in 2015 and 2016. In 2016, he transferred to for €29.5 million, where he struggled initially but showed promise, before a loan to Benfica in the 2017–18 season and a return to Santos on loan in 2018. His career peaked upon returning to with Flamengo on loan in 2019, where he scored 25 league goals that season and became a legend by netting a 89th-minute equalizer and 92nd-minute winner in the final against River Plate, securing Flamengo's first title in 38 years. With Flamengo, he won two Brazilian Série A titles (2019, 2020), two trophies (2022, 2024), two (2020, 2021), and a second in 2022, where he scored the decisive goal in the 1-0 final victory over Athletico Paranaense. In 2024, he faced a doping suspension that was later overturned by the in 2025. After leaving Flamengo at the end of 2024, Barbosa joined Cruzeiro on 1 January 2025 with a contract until December 2028, before being loaned to Santos on 3 January 2026. Internationally, he has represented the national team, earning 18 caps and scoring five goals since his debut in 2016.

Early life and youth career

Early life

Gabriel Barbosa Almeida was born on August 30, 1996, in , a city in the state of , . He is the son of Valdemir and Lindalva Barbosa, who raised him in a close-knit environment. Barbosa has a younger sister, Dhiovanna Barbosa, with whom he maintains a strong familial bond. Growing up in the working-class neighborhood of Cafezal within the Montanhão area of , Barbosa experienced a humble hood marked by economic challenges. His family provided consistent support for his early interest in football, which he first pursued through informal street games in the community, often playing with local ren despite limited resources. Financial constraints were common; for instance, during his initial training sessions as a , the family sometimes lacked money for bus fare, leading Barbosa to walk long distances home. His parents actively encouraged his passion, recognizing his talent from around age five or six and ensuring he had opportunities to develop it amid their modest circumstances. The nickname "Gabigol," a blend of his first name "Gabi" and "gol" ( for goal), emerged during his early youth football days due to his prolific scoring ability. Barbosa attended local schools in during his early years, balancing basic education with his growing focus on sports before dedicating more time to organized football around age nine.

Youth career

Gabriel Barbosa joined the Santos FC youth academy in 2004 at the age of eight, progressing through the under-11, under-13, under-15, and under-17 levels over the next nine years. His exceptional goal-scoring prowess during this period earned him the nickname "Gabigol," with reports indicating he netted over 600 goals across youth competitions. Barbosa stood out as a top scorer in multiple Santos youth tournaments, including the 2012 São Paulo Youth Cup, where his performances highlighted his potential as a prolific forward. He also gained international youth exposure representing Brazil's under-15 and under-17 national teams in various competitions. Under the guidance of youth coach , Barbosa benefited from focused training that emphasized his technical skills and physical conditioning, during which he grew from 1.70 meters to 1.78 meters in height through his teenage years. In 2013, at the age of 16, Barbosa was promoted to Santos' senior squad, receiving his first exposure with bench appearances during the that year.

Club career

Santos (2013–2016)

Gabriel Barbosa made his debut for Santos on 26 May 2013, entering as a substitute in a 0–0 draw against Flamengo at the age of 16. He scored his first goal on 22 August 2013, netting the lone strike in a 1–0 round-of-16 victory over Grêmio. In the 2014 season, Barbosa emerged as a key contributor, tallying 21 goals across 44 appearances in all competitions. His standout performances came in the Copa do Brasil, where he scored six goals in seven matches, including one in the second leg of the final against Cruzeiro, helping Santos to a 3–3 draw despite a 5–4 aggregate defeat. Barbosa continued his prolific form in 2015, scoring 21 goals in 32 Série A matches alone, while contributing to Santos' run to the Copa do Brasil final, where they fell to Palmeiras on penalties after a 2–2 aggregate. Over the 2015–2016 period, he added to his tally with notable strikes in the Campeonato Paulista, which Santos won in both years. In total, Barbosa recorded 42 goals in 107 appearances for Santos from 2013 to 2016. Primarily deployed as a second striker or left winger, Barbosa impressed with his explosive speed and clinical finishing, drawing comparisons to emerging Brazilian talents. His breakthrough prompted a high-profile transfer to on 31 August 2016 for a reported €29.5 million fee, setting a record for a Brazilian teenager at the time.

Inter Milan (2016–2018)

Gabriel Barbosa joined from Santos on 27 August 2016, signing a five-year contract for a transfer fee of €29.5 million. The move came after his standout performances at Santos and with at the , where he contributed to the gold medal win, generating significant hype around his potential as a prolific forward. In the 2016–17 season, Barbosa faced adaptation challenges under head coaches , who managed until November 2016, and , who took over afterward. He made his debut as a substitute against on 25 September 2016 but struggled for consistent playing time, appearing in nine league matches for a total of 111 minutes and scoring just one goal—a late winner in a 1–0 victory over on 19 2017. Factors contributing to his limited role included tactical mismatches with Inter's system, competition from established forwards like , and reported injuries that hampered his integration. Barbosa's frustrations boiled over in May 2017 when he stormed off the substitutes' bench during a match against after realizing he would not be substituted in, later issuing a public apology. The Italian media dubbed him "Gabi-no-gol" amid high expectations following his Olympic success, adding pressure that he later described as overwhelming during his adaptation to European football. The 2017–18 season brought further marginalization, with Barbosa loaned to Benfica in late August 2017 after minimal involvement in pre-season. Upon returning in January 2018 following a short and unproductive spell at Benfica—where he made only five appearances—the forward found himself confined to the bench under Pioli, prompting Inter to loan him back to Santos later that month to help him regain form. Across his time with Inter's first team from 2016 to 2018, excluding loans, Barbosa recorded 10 appearances and 1 goal in all competitions, highlighting a period of unfulfilled promise despite the substantial investment in his transfer.

Benfica (loan) (2017–2018)

Gabriel Barbosa arrived at Benfica on a loan from in late August 2017, with the agreement including an option to make the deal permanent. The move aimed to provide the young Brazilian forward with regular playing time in the to revive his form following a challenging debut season in . Under coach , Barbosa served as a rotational forward but struggled with limited opportunities due to competition and adaptation issues. He made 5 appearances and scored 1 goal across all competitions during his brief loan, which ended early in 2018. Benfica chose not to exercise the option to purchase him permanently. He subsequently returned to .

Santos (loan) (2018)

On 25 January 2018, loaned Gabriel Barbosa back to his former club Santos on a one-year deal until 31 December 2018. The 21-year-old forward, who had struggled for playing time during loans at Benfica and limited appearances at Inter, returned to the club where he had previously made his professional breakthrough. Under initial coach , Barbosa was deployed as the primary striker, forming a key attacking partnership and quickly re-establishing himself in the starting lineup. During the loan spell, Barbosa featured prominently across multiple competitions, making 53 appearances and scoring 27 goals in total. In the , he played 35 matches and netted 18 goals, emerging as the league's top scorer that season. In the , he appeared in 8 games and scored 4 goals, contributing to Santos' run to the semi-finals where they were eliminated by Corinthians. He also scored 4 goals in 3 matches and added 1 goal in 7 group stage appearances, including a notable strike against Estudiantes in . These performances marked a significant resurgence, with Barbosa regaining form and popularity among Santos supporters through his goal-scoring prowess and energetic play. At the conclusion of the loan in December 2018, Santos expressed interest in a permanent transfer but lacked the financial resources to meet Inter's valuation. Barbosa returned to Inter Milan, only to be loaned out again to Flamengo in January 2019.

Flamengo (2019–2024)

Gabriel Barbosa joined Flamengo on a one-year loan from Inter Milan in January 2019. He made his debut for the club on 23 January 2019 in a 1–1 draw against Fluminense in the Campeonato Carioca. Barbosa quickly made an impact, scoring his first goal for Flamengo on 24 February 2019 in a 4–1 victory over Americano, and went on a scoring streak in subsequent matches. During the 2019 season, he emerged as a key figure under coach Jorge Jesus, netting 43 goals across 59 appearances in all competitions and helping Flamengo secure the Campeonato Carioca, Copa Libertadores, and Campeonato Brasileiro Série A titles. His standout performance came in the Copa Libertadores final on 23 November 2019, where he scored a dramatic brace in stoppage time to secure a 2–1 comeback win against River Plate, earning him the top scorer honor in the tournament with nine goals. In December 2019, following his loan spell, Flamengo completed a permanent transfer for Barbosa from in a deal reported at €18 million, signing him to a contract until December 2024. Over the subsequent years from 2020 to 2023, Barbosa solidified his status as a prolific forward and , contributing significantly to further successes including the , the 2020 and 2021 , and the . Under coaches like and later , his role evolved from a pure poacher to a more complete leader, influencing team dynamics with his positioning, finishing, and clutch performances in high-stakes matches. By the end of 2023, he had become one of Flamengo's all-time leading scorers, matching records set by club legend Zico in single-season tallies. In total, Barbosa scored 161 goals in 306 appearances for Flamengo between and , establishing himself as the club's fifth-highest all-time scorer in competitive matches. The 2024 season presented challenges, as a doping-related suspension imposed in limited his participation, affecting his consistency and leading to a transitional period before his departure at the end of the year. Despite this, his tenure marked a golden era for Flamengo, with Barbosa's contributions central to multiple continental and domestic triumphs.

Cruzeiro (2025–present)

On 1 January 2025, Cruzeiro announced the signing of Gabriel Barbosa on a free transfer from Flamengo following the expiry of his contract with the Rio de Janeiro club. The 28-year-old forward agreed to a four-year deal until December 2028, marking a significant addition to Cruzeiro's attacking lineup as they aimed to bolster their squad for the 2025 season. Barbosa's adaptation to Cruzeiro was highlighted by an enthusiastic reception from fans in , where over 44,000 supporters attended his unveiling at the Stadium, creating a hero's welcome atmosphere. This positive fan response came amid his ongoing recovery from a doping appeal; in July 2025, the overturned a 24-month suspension imposed by Brazil's anti-doping tribunal for alleged tampering during a test, allowing him to focus fully on his new chapter without further disruption. Under coach , appointed in February 2025, Barbosa has established himself as the starting striker, emphasizing leadership on the pitch and consistent performances to help integrate with the team's tactical setup. In the 2025 season, Barbosa has made 26 appearances in Série A, scoring 6 goals and providing 2 assists while accumulating approximately 1,000 minutes played as of November 17. His contributions extend to the Copa do Brasil, where he has been instrumental in key matches, including scoring crucial goals that advanced Cruzeiro in the knockout stages. With Cruzeiro positioned third in the Série A standings with 66 points as of November 17, Barbosa's form has positioned the club as contenders for the league title and further success in domestic cups, underscoring his ongoing impact in driving the team's offensive output.

International career

Youth international career

Gabriel Barbosa began his youth international career with the Brazil under-15 team in November 2011, earning four caps without scoring. He progressed to the under-17 level in 2013, debuting at the where he scored three goals as reached the final. Barbosa also featured in the , scoring two goals in two appearances during the tournament in the . At the under-20 level, Barbosa was called up in 2014 and participated in key tournaments, including the 2015 Toulon Tournament, which Brazil won; he claimed the Golden Boot with six goals. He also represented at the 2017 South American U-20 Championship, contributing to their qualification efforts for the . Overall, he made seven appearances for the U-20 team. Barbosa's youth career culminated with the under-23 team at the in Rio de Janeiro, where secured their first-ever Olympic gold medal in men's football under coach . He played in six matches, scoring four goals, including a brace in the 4–0 group stage victory over that broke 's scoring drought and a goal in the semifinal against . Across all youth levels, Barbosa amassed approximately 45 appearances and 25 goals, establishing his international pedigree under coaches like and Carlos Amadeu before transitioning to senior duty.

Senior international career

Gabriel Barbosa made his international debut for on 29 May 2016, coming on as a substitute and scoring in a 2–0 friendly victory over in , marking his first goal for the national team. His competitive debut followed shortly after in the 2016 Copa América Centenario, where he appeared in three matches, including scoring in a 7–1 group stage win against on 8 June 2016. Barbosa's early international career was marked by sporadic appearances amid strong competition for forward positions, often as a backup option behind established stars like . He earned his first call-up to the senior squad in May 2016 under coach , following impressive form at Santos, and featured in the 2016 , where Brazil reached the quarter-finals before elimination by . After a period of limited involvement during his time in Europe with and Benfica, Barbosa returned to the national team setup in September 2019 under Tite, receiving his first call-up in three years for friendlies against and , though he did not feature in those matches. His most notable senior tournament participation came during the 2021 Copa América, hosted by , where he was included in the 28-man squad and made five appearances, scoring the third goal in the 3–0 group stage opening win over on 13 June 2021, finishing from a cross by . won the tournament, defeating 1–0 in the final, with Barbosa providing depth as a substitute forward. In the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, he accumulated eight caps and two goals, including a strike in a 4–1 home win against on 14 October 2021 at , contributing to 's qualification for the tournament. Despite his contributions, Barbosa's international role remained secondary to primary strikers like and , with selections influenced by his club form at Flamengo. He earned a total of 18 caps and scored 5 goals for between 2016 and 2022, with his last appearance occurring in March 2022 during World Cup qualifiers. As of November 2025, Barbosa has not received a national team call-up since 2022, focusing instead on his club career at Cruzeiro following a successful against a two-year doping suspension imposed in March 2024 for attempted anti-doping fraud.

Personal life

Family and public image

Gabriel Barbosa maintains a close-knit family dynamic that has played a significant role in his personal and professional life. His parents, Valdemir Silva and Lindalva Barbosa, have provided unwavering support throughout his career, including practical assistance with relocations such as scouting housing options during his 2025 transfer to Cruzeiro. The family resided near the Santos stadium during his early years, reflecting their commitment to his development from a young age. In his personal relationships, Barbosa has been in a long-term, intermittent partnership with Rafaella Santos, the sister of Brazilian footballer , since the mid-2010s; the couple reconciled publicly in January 2025 after multiple breakups. As of 2025, they have . Barbosa's public image is that of a charismatic figure, amplified by his active presence, where he has amassed over 12 million followers by 2025, often sharing glimpses of his lifestyle and career highlights. This persona has attracted endorsements from major brands, including Nike for footwear and apparel since his early professional days, as well as partnerships with for promotions and the betting platform Stake. During his tenure with Flamengo from 2019 to 2024, Barbosa resided in a luxurious mansion in Rio de Janeiro's upscale neighborhood, purchased for around R$13 million in 2023; the property features five suites, a heated pool, sauna, gourmet space, wine cellar, home theater, and a game room with personalized murals of football idols. His "Gabigol," a blend of his childhood moniker "Gabi" and his prolific goal-scoring in youth ranks, originated within his family circle.

Doping case and controversies

In April 2023, during an out-of-competition anti-doping test at Flamengo's training ground in Rio de Janeiro, Gabriel Barbosa, known as Gabigol, was accused of tampering with the process by delaying the provision of a urine sample, allegedly ignoring an initial request while his teammates complied earlier that day. The incident occurred on April 8, 2023, the day before a match, leading to a notification of a potential anti-doping rule violation for on May 30, 2023. On March 25, 2024, Brazil's Anti-Doping Sports Court of Justice imposed a two-year suspension on Barbosa for attempted anti-doping , with the ban backdated to the date of the violation and set to expire in April 2025; the decision passed by a vote. Barbosa denied any wrongdoing and immediately appealed, receiving a provisional from the (CAS) on April 30, 2024, to resume playing pending the final ruling. The suspension initially caused Barbosa to miss nine matches for Flamengo in early 2024, including three in the , before the provisional stay allowed his return. On July 4, 2025, CAS overturned the ban entirely, ruling that Barbosa's actions did not constitute tampering or manipulation of the doping control process due to insufficient evidence. This clearance facilitated his transfer to Cruzeiro later in 2025, where he continues to play. No criminal charges were filed in connection with the case. Beyond the doping matter, Barbosa has faced prior disciplinary issues, including a one-match ban from in December 2019 for social media comments criticizing a referee during the . These incidents highlight a pattern of occasional conduct concerns, but none resulted in long-term suspensions prior to the 2024 case.

Style of play

Technical attributes

Gabriel Barbosa primarily operates as a left-footed centre-forward or second striker, standing at 1.78 meters tall and weighing approximately 70 kilograms. His physical profile supports a versatile role in attack, allowing him to drop deep or drift wide, particularly on the right flank despite his left-footed preference. Among his key strengths, Barbosa excels in clinical finishing, with a shot-to-goal conversion rate of approximately 25% in Brazilian competitions, enabling him to capitalize on limited opportunities. Despite his modest , he demonstrates notable aerial , winning headers through timing and positioning rather than sheer power. His quick acceleration makes him a potent threat on counterattacks, where he can exploit spaces behind defenses with explosive bursts of speed. In terms of ball-handling, Barbosa is effective in one-on-one situations, using close control and feints to beat defenders, often playing the ball off the ground to maintain momentum. He contributes to build-up play with short, precise passes and possesses good vision to spot runs in the final third, favoring the left channel to cut inside onto his stronger foot. However, Barbosa's weaknesses include inconsistency in offside positioning, which has occasionally disrupted his runs into the box, and limited defensive contributions off the ball. His temperament can also be a factor, leading to yellow cards for amid heated moments on the pitch. Over his career, Barbosa has evolved from a raw, speed-reliant youth prospect at Santos, focused on direct runs and flair, into a more complete finisher at Flamengo, where he refined his positioning and finishing under structured coaching to become a reliable goal scorer in high-stakes matches. This development has carried into his international adaptations, where he adjusts as a supporting forward alongside main strikers. Since joining Cruzeiro in 2025, he has continued to demonstrate his finishing prowess, scoring 6 goals in the Série A as of November 2025.

Reception

Gabriel Barbosa, commonly known as Gabigol, rose to hero status in Brazilian football after his dramatic brace in the 89th minute and stoppage time during the , propelling Flamengo to a 2-1 comeback victory over River Plate and ending a 38-year drought for the club. His ability to deliver in clutch moments has led to frequent comparisons with , praised for embodying the same predatory instinct in decisive games. Among fans, Gabigol has solidified his idol status at Santos, where he emerged as a prodigy, and especially at Flamengo, where his charismatic celebrations and loyalty endeared him to supporters, often described as overwhelming in their fervor. Critics, however, have pointed to inconsistencies during his European stints at and Benfica, where he struggled to adapt to the tactical demands and physicality, earning the derisive nickname "Gabi-no-gol" for his limited impact despite high expectations. Discipline issues, including reported clashes with coaches around 2020 amid concerns over training commitment, further tarnished his reputation at times. Additionally, some analysts have criticized his over-reliance on penalties to boost goal tallies in certain seasons, questioning the sustainability of his scoring prowess beyond spot-kicks. Brazilian media outlets have lauded Gabigol's "redemption arc" following his underwhelming 2018 performances in , highlighting his resurgence at Flamengo as a narrative of revival through prolific scoring and major titles. Internationally, there remains skepticism about his fit for top , with reports emphasizing his failure to replicate club success at the senior international level for . Gabigol's legacy stands as a symbol of Brazilian flair, blending technical skill with showmanship. He joined Cruzeiro on 1 January 2025 on a contract until December 2028. Among his accolades, Gabigol has secured multiple Bola de Prata awards, recognizing his standout performances in the Brasileirão.

Career statistics

Club

Gabriel Barbosa's club career has been marked by consistent goal-scoring prowess, particularly in Brazilian competitions. As of November 8, 2025, he has accumulated 566 appearances, 258 goals, and 60 assists across all club levels, with total minutes played surpassing 35,000. His peak performance came in 2015 with Santos, where he scored 34 goals in 57 appearances across multiple competitions. In the 2025 season with Cruzeiro, Barbosa has recorded 6 goals and 2 assists in 25 Série A matches, totaling 796 minutes. The breakdown by club highlights his longevity at Flamengo and early impact at Santos:
ClubPeriodAppearancesGoalsAssistsMinutes (approx.)Yellow CardsRed Cards
Santos2013–2016, 2018207831314,500251
2016–2017101045010
Benfica (loan)2017–201851016400
Flamengo2019–20243061614320,500301
(loan)2024000000
Cruzeiro2025–present411342,80040
Total56925960~38,414602
By major competition, Barbosa's contributions are concentrated in domestic Brazilian leagues and cups, with standout output in international play for Flamengo:
CompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssists
Série A ()28811933
68323
45225
Serie A (Italy)700
Primeira Liga (Portugal)100
Other (, Paulista, etc.)1578519
These figures underscore his efficiency as a forward, with over 80 goals at Flamengo alone establishing him as the club's all-time leading scorer in multiple tournaments. He has received 60 yellow cards and 2 red cards career-wide, reflecting a disciplined yet aggressive style.

International

Gabriel Barbosa represented at various youth levels, accumulating 45 caps and scoring 25 goals across under-15, under-17, under-20, and under-23 teams. His youth international career highlighted his scoring prowess, particularly in tournaments leading to major competitions. At the senior level, Barbosa earned 18 caps and netted 5 goals for the national team as of November 2025. His last cap was in 2021; he received no call-ups from 2022 onward. The following table summarizes his international appearances and goals by age group and key competitions:
CategoryCompetitionAppearancesGoals
Youth (U15-U23)Total4525
Youth (U23/Olympics)64
SeniorFriendlies and Qualifiers93
Senior42
SeniorOther Tournaments22
Senior Total-185

Honours

Club honours

Gabriel Barbosa has amassed a collection of 16 club trophies throughout his professional career, primarily with Santos and Flamengo, where he played pivotal roles in several victories, including scoring decisive goals in high-stakes finals.

Santos

  • Campeonato Paulista: 2015, 2016. Barbosa contributed significantly to both triumphs, emerging as a key attacking talent in the 2015 edition with multiple goals during the campaign.

Flamengo

Barbosa joined Flamengo on loan in 2019 and made the move permanent thereafter, becoming a cornerstone of the club's dominant era with 14 major titles. His standout contributions include a dramatic brace in the against River Plate, securing a 2–1 victory and the continental crown.
  • Campeonato Carioca: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024. He was the top scorer in the 2019 edition with 7 goals and repeated the feat in 2022–23 with 9 goals.
  • Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2019, 2020. Barbosa led the scoring charts in 2019 with 25 goals, earning the award.
  • : 2019, 2022. In addition to his 2019 final heroics, he netted 11 goals in the 2020–21 edition, though the title came in 2022.
  • Supercopa do Brasil: 2020, 2021.
  • Recopa Sudamericana: 2020.
  • Copa do Brasil: 2022, 2024. Flamengo defeated Corinthians 2–1 on aggregate in the 2022 final and Atlético Mineiro 4–1 on aggregate in the 2024 final.

Benfica

No major club titles won during his 2017–18 loan spell.

Cruzeiro

No major club titles as of 2025.

International honours

Gabriel Barbosa has earned one notable international honour during his youth career with Brazil's national teams, highlighting his early promise as a forward. The following year, Barbosa contributed to Brazil's historic first Olympic football at the 2016 Rio Games, appearing in six matches and scoring two goals as the team overcame in the final via penalties after a 1–1 draw. At the senior level, despite debuting in 2016 and accumulating eight caps across two Copa América tournaments, Barbosa has yet to secure any major titles with the full squad.

References

  1. https://www.[espn.com](/page/ESPN.com)/soccer/story/_/id/39808761/flamengo-gabriel-barbosa-suspended-doping-case
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