In a touching post-match moment at San Mamés on Tuesday, Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli melted hearts by gifting his jersey to a young Athletic Bilbao fan, captivated by the child’s unexpected Arsenal banner.
The gesture came after Martinelli’s match-defining performance—scoring the opener and assisting Leandro Trossard’s second in Arsenal’s 2-0 Champions League victory.
The act, however, has turned the Brazilian into an overnight hero on both sides of the divide.
The heartwarming scene unfolded as Martinelli spotted the young Bilbao supporter waving an Arsenal banner.
The child, clad in a Bilbao kit, had braved the home crowd’s fervour to show his admiration, a rare sight in the sea of red and white.
After scoring just 36 seconds after his substitution for Eberechi Eze—latching onto Trossard’s through ball—and later setting up Trossard’s 88th-minute clincher, Martinelli approached the barrier.
With a broad smile, he peeled off his No. 11 jersey and handed it over, prompting cheers from both sets of fans.
Afterwards, the Brazilian even took a pic with the kid!
Gabriel joins Inaki Williams to honour 72-year-old Athletic tradition ahead of UCL clash
