What the boys from Brazil really think about the ‘Gabigol’
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BRAZILIAN striker Gabriel Barbosa has re-emerged as an intriguing transfer target for Newcastle United this summer.
The 25-year-old Flamengo striker was understood to be on Newcastle radar in January, with brief discussions taking place about a loanmove with an option to buy.
The Chronicle understands Barbosa’s representatives are now keen on re-opening discussions.
The Brazilian forward is said to want to silence some of his critics in Europe, who saw him flop during his ill-fated spell with Inter Milan back in 2016.
Barbosa, nicknamed ‘Gabigol,’ moved to Inter for a fee around the £30m mark and failed to settle in Italy.
At that time, he was one of Brazil’s most hyped-up prospects. During his time at the San Siro, however, he scored just once in 10 appearances before ending up back in Brazil.
The return to Brazil has seen him rediscover his goalscoring prowess, with Gabigol netting 74 goals in 121 league games.
His exploits have seen him become a regular fixture in the Brazilian national team too.
While he has played in just one of Brazil’s 2022 internationals, the Flamengo forward featured 12 times for the Selecao back in 2021.
Barbosa is a heavily left-footed forward comfortable playing through the middle or off the rightwing. While his star might have fallen slightly since his move to Italy, there is every reason to believe he could come back to Europe stronger.
After all, plenty of Brazilian legends have spoken very highly of the striker...
Adriano
There are big similarities between Brazilian legend Adriano and Barbosa, who both played for Flamengo and Inter.
The former Inter forward is a big fan of Gabigol’s.
“Gabigol is a player who can be decisive at any moment in a match,” said the former Inter striker back in 2021.
Neymar
Another famous Brazilian to laud Barbosa’s talents is Paris Saint Germain forward Neymar.
The pair played together during the early stages of their careers at Santos in Brazil and have played alongside each other at national team level too.
Neymar said: “I like Gabriel a lot. We played together at Santos and at the Olympics with Brazil,
“I feel great with him. I spoke to him and told him he must be happy with what he has done. Gabriel can play in any team.”
Zico
Perhaps the greatest player in Flamengo history, Zico believes Barbosa has “much more” ahead of him in his career.
Whether that will be with the Brazilian side or back in Europe remains to be seen...
Zico said: “I think Gabigol has everything to be the greatest striker in Flamengo’s history.
“His performances got better and better, consolidating him as one of the greats.
“He’s already gone down in history. He is young and can do much more and hopefully he can do it.
“Doing this is always good to give joy to the Rubro-negro fan and logically we always expect this from a guy who has the potential he has.”
Tim Vickery
However, while Barbosa has garnered plenty of praise from his compatriots, South American football expert Tim Vickery is more reserved on whether or not the Brazilian would be successful in Europe this time around.
He said: “He’s 25 already, has had one go already in Europe with Inter Milan and Benfica and it was an absolute disaster.
“People spoke very badly of him he swanned around like he was Pretty Boy Floyd.
“He has problems with his emotional intelligence, although he is getting better.
“He is all left foot and has never done it at the highest level. When he played Liverpool in that World Club Cup Final two years ago now, Virgil Van Dijk just put him in his pocket.”