Gabriel has opened up about the anguish he felt after missing the crucial penalty in Arsenal’s shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.

The Brazilian defender took the fifth penalty for Arsenal in Budapest, fully aware that he needed to score to keep their hopes alive after Lucas Beraldo’s successful strike had put PSG on the verge of retaining their crown.

However, Gabriel’s effort went over the bar, sealing PSG’s consecutive European triumphs—making them only the second club in the modern era to achieve back-to-back Champions League wins.

As Marquinhos and other Arsenal teammates rushed to console him, Gabriel appeared visibly emotional while receiving his runners-up medal.

In a heartfelt message shared online, Gabriel wrote: “It’s painful, but I’m proud of this team and everything we achieved together this season. Thank you to our incredible fans for your support every step of the way. You deserve to celebrate this journey with us and enjoy the parade today! See you next season! Love, Big Gabi.”

During Arsenal’s Premier League victory parade on Sunday, fans displayed their support for Gabriel by bringing banners with messages of encouragement for the Brazilian centre-back.

Declan Rice, speaking after the final, also expressed his backing for both Gabriel and Eberechi Eze, who had also missed in the shootout, acknowledging their disappointment while praising their contributions throughout the season.

“They’re devastated,” the England midfielder told TNT Sports. “Obviously, to miss a penalty in a Champions League final is tough. We love them and stand by them. It happens in football—they won’t be the last players to miss penalties in finals.”

Rice further added, “Everyone’s missed a penalty at some point, and without those two this season, we wouldn’t have lifted the Premier League title. Gabriel, both as a person and a player, has been immense. Eze too has scored vital goals for us this year. It’s cruel, but that’s football—we take the positives and move forward.”