Who is Gabigol? Neymar's successor linked with Everton and West Ham

Nicholas Hughes

• 15 Nov 2021 12:32 GMT
• 7 min read

Gabriel Barbosa had the near impossible task of following Neymar at Santos in 2014, and he very quickly became one of world football’s brightest young talents.

Rushed into the first-team as a 16-year-old, he earned himself the nickname Gabigol for obvious reasons as he endeared himself to fans in his native Brazil.

While a big move to Inter would turn out to be problematic, the Brazilian has had a career renaissance back in his homeland and could be set for another shot at Europe.

With plenty of time still on his side and an incredible run of form of late, Gabigol could still see himself in another top European league.

What position does Gabigol play in?

Gabigol is a pacey, skilful striker, though being a left footer, he can also operate on the right-wing as an inside forward.

How good is Gabigol?

Gabigol’s career trajectory has probably not been what he might have hoped or expected it would be, but it has been a successful one all the same.

At such a young age, Gabigol managed to net 42 top flight goals in 118 games for Santos before earning a lucrative transfer to Inter.

He landed at the San Siro for around €35 million as a 19-year-old, fully-fledged Brazilian international and was announced in a video mimicking the announcement of Ronaldo Nazario when he signed for Inter in 1997.

But it never quite reached the same heights, not even close. Gabigol never started a league match for Inter, playing just nine times and scoring one goal, before a loan spell at Benfica where he came off the bench once in the league for his only appearance.

Desperate for a fresh start, Barbosa went back home where he immediately hit the ground running again at Santos before joining Flamengo, where he has been nothing short of sensational.

In his first season at the club he hit the net nine times in the Copa Libertadores, more than any other player, guiding Flamengo to the title before clinching the league in the same year.

A second consecutive league title followed suit, and as of November 2021 he has struck 81 goals in just 119 games for the club, including a remarkable 21 in 29 in the Copa Libertadores alone.

Internationally, he has been highly touted from a young age, scoring 13 goals in 23 games for the Brazilian youth teams before making his senior debut in 2016. He also went to the Olympics in the same year, scoring twice in the tournament as Brazil won the gold medal.

After scoring in his debut against Panama, his form for the national team has stagnated slightly with only five goals in 17 games, but he has earned himself a regular selection in the side.

After playing just once between June 2016 and May 2021, Gabigol went on a 14-game stretch where he was selected for the squad, playing in 12 of them and scoring three times.

Quick, skilful and deadly in front of goal, Gabigol has everything that a modern-day striker needs. With form and confidence now on his side after a difficult spell in his career, he has all the tools to make another major move and make it work this time.

Which clubs are interested in Gabigol?

As with many players in form, there is a host of interest from the Premier League for Gabigol and has been for some time.

Chelsea and Manchester City have been linked with him down the years, and it was believed that Leicester City were also in the running before Inter picked him up from Santos.

More recently, Everton and West Ham are believed to be keeping an eye on his continued form with Flamengo, with an estimated valuation of £40m.

When does Gabigol’s contract expire?

Due to the different calendar in Brazilian football, Gabigol’s contract at Flamengo is set to expire on December 31 2024. It is believed that he earns in excess of €3m per year.

How old is Gabigol?

Gabigol was born on August 30, 1996, making him 25 years old.

What is Gabigol’s height?

Gabigol is 178cm tall, or five-feet-eight-inches.

What is Gabigol’s weight?

Gabigol is believed to weigh around 68kg, or 10 stone, seven pounds.

What football boots does Gabigol wear?

Gabigol wears Nike football boots, opting for the Mercurial Vapor 14 Elite cleats on matchday.

What is Gabigol’s Instagram?

Gabigol has 8.7 million followers on Instagram as of November 2021.

Who is Gabigol’s girlfriend?

Gabigol is not publicly dating anyone, having gone out with Neymar’s sister in 2018.