Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli has called Cristiano Ronaldo his biggest football idol growing up, while the 21-year-old winger admits he was ‘afraid’ as a teenager to leave Brazil for a trial at Manchester United
- Gabriel Martinelli has been a key player for Arsenal this season, scoring 15 goals
- He has now revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo was his football idol as a child
- The 21-year-old had a trial with Man United but was “scared” by the experience
Gabriel Martinelli has referred to Cristiano Ronaldo as his greatest childhood football idol, although the Arsenal star was keen to emphasize that his parents were his “key inspirations”.
Martinelli has been a key player for the Gunners this season, scoring 15 goals in 35 league appearances in their pursuit of their first title since 2004.
He has now shown childhood affection for a legend from one of Arsenal’s greatest rivals.
That’s what the 21-year-old said club website“When you talked about footballers, the person I looked up to was always Cristiano Ronaldo. I used to watch him a lot when I was growing up.”
The legendary Portuguese striker scored 145 appearances over two spells at Old Trafford, but left under a cloud in January when he left for Saudi side Al-Nassr after criticizing the club in an explosive interview.
Gabriel Martinelli has been a revelation for Arsenal this season, scoring 15 goals
The 21-year-old has already played 129 games for Mikel Arteta’s team
However, Martinelli was keen to emphasize that he had other influences outside the game, continuing, “I loved [Ronaldo’s] style, but in life my parents are definitely my main sources of inspiration.
“When I was young and still now, they are always there for me. They have helped me in so many ways, from day one they have always been with me, supporting me, giving me advice and trying to help me.
“My dad played a little football when he was younger. He wasn’t a professional, but he liked to play for fun and he loves the sport. I think my father always had a dream to have a son who could become a professional footballer.
“My mother also always encouraged me from the first day when I started playing football. They have always done everything they can to help me achieve my goals and become a footballer.’
The Arsenal winger nearly followed in his idol’s footsteps, trialling with the Red Devils as a teenager, but has now revealed he was disheartened by the experience.
“I think I was 13 or 14 when I first went to Manchester,” he added. ‘I don’t remember exactly, but I was still young, nobody knew me.
“That was a new experience for me, away from home. I didn’t like it at first. I wanted to be home, but I was going to go to these places with my dad and I was a little scared.
He had a trial period with Manchester United as a teenager, but was ‘scared’ by the experience of leaving home
He cited Cristiano Ronaldo as his biggest football idol as a child, but felt his parents were bigger inspirations overall
“Another country, another language that I didn’t speak, so it was difficult for me.”
Despite a recent swing that saw Arsenal lose their grip on the title race after three points from four games, they are now just one point behind league leaders Man City after an impressive win over Newcastle.
City have a game in hand but face a rampant Everton side who beat Brighton 5-1 in their final game.
The Gunners then come into action on Sunday when they take on the Seagulls in the Emirates.