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▲ Arsenal center back Gabriel Magalhães received unexpected support after missing a penalty in the Champions League final. His jersey sales surged by as much as 350%. ⓒ Britain’s ‘Tribuna’
By Park Dae-hyun, SPOTV News — It was a striking act of solidarity, the sort of response you’d expect from the supporters of an English Premier League heavyweight.
Arsenal center back Gabriel Magalhães (28, Brazil) found himself at the center of an unexpected show of support after missing a penalty in the UEFA Champions League final.
According to local reports, sales of his jersey spiked by as much as 350% as fans rallied behind the defender, sending a clear message: “Don’t hang your head — come back stronger next season.”
On the 31st of last month (Korean time), Arsenal drew 1-1 with Paris Saint-Germain at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna in the 2025–26 Champions League final. The match went to a penalty shootout.
After a tense series of spot kicks, PSG edged Arsenal 4-3 in the shootout to claim a second consecutive European title.
Magalhães was Arsenal’s fifth penalty taker. His left-footed attempt sailed well over the crossbar, leaving Arsenal’s long-sought first Champions League trophy out of reach.
▲ Arsenal drew 1-1 with PSG in the 2025–26 Champions League final at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna on the 31st of last month, then went to penalties. After a fierce battle, PSG won the shootout 4-3 to secure back-to-back European titles. Arsenal’s fifth taker, Gabriel Magalhães, saw his left-footed shot fly well over the bar, dashing the club’s dream of a first Champions League trophy at the last moment.
Instead of criticism, Gunners supporters rallied around him.
The Athletic reported on June 2 that Magalhães’ shirt was the top seller at Arsenal’s official store over the weekend. At one point, sales of his jersey reportedly climbed to roughly twice the combined level of other Arsenal players, the outlet said, with fans using purchases as a show of support for the crestfallen defender.
Britain’s Tribuna also highlighted the moment: despite suffering his most painful setback on football’s biggest stage, Magalhães remains “one of our own” to Arsenal fans. The piece underscored the supporters’ continued faith in the player who’s been a defensive mainstay and the club’s fourth captain since 2020.
▲ Gunners fans gave Gabriel Magalhães a passionate show of support rather than blame after his missed penalty. The Athletic reported on the 2nd that the Brazil international’s jersey was the weekend’s top seller at Arsenal’s official shop, and that at one point sales rose to about twice the total of other Arsenal players combined. Fans used a buying surge to send an emphatic message of encouragement. ⓒ Arsenal Instagram
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