Santos forward Gabriel Barbosa, who started the year on the bench for Santos after a disappointing U20 South American Championship, has worked hard and has ended up as a starter at Brazil’s Olympic team.
The 19-year-old, who’s known as ‘Gabigol’ for his impressive goalscoring record at youth levels, says that he likes the nickname. Gabigol also talked about the possibility of playing in the Olympic Games next year, alongside Neymar. He told Globo Esporte: “Nickname? It was during futsal. I was very young, with the name Gabriel. As I was scoring goals, they invented the name Gabigol. It was picking up on social networks, on the boot etc. I like it. It’s fun, cool, different. Gabriel, many are there. But when they say Gabigol, you already know who it is.”
He added: “U20 South American Championship? Everyone expected that we would win, that we would win the title. When I returned to Santos, I was on the bench. But, thank God, everything turned out as the best. I think this was the best year of my life.”
On next year’s Olympic Games: “The Olympics is my biggest dream. The goal is to be there, but I know the competition is very large. My debut at Santos was when Neymar left. I played 20 minutes with him and no more. I miss, of course! It was very little, but very good. I think we have to look up to him, yes, but his story is already done. Now I should have mine.”
Santos forward Gabriel Barbosa, who started the year on the bench for Santos after a disappointing U20 South American Championship, has worked hard and has ended up as a starter at Brazil’s Olympic team.
The 19-year-old, who’s known as ‘Gabigol’ for his impressive goalscoring record at youth levels, says that he likes the nickname. Gabigol also talked about the possibility of playing in the Olympic Games next year, alongside Neymar. He told Globo Esporte: “Nickname? It was during futsal. I was very young, with the name Gabriel. As I was scoring goals, they invented the name Gabigol. It was picking up on social networks, on the boot etc. I like it. It’s fun, cool, different. Gabriel, many are there. But when they say Gabigol, you already know who it is.”
He added: “U20 South American Championship? Everyone expected that we would win, that we would win the title. When I returned to Santos, I was on the bench. But, thank God, everything turned out as the best. I think this was the best year of my life.”
On next year’s Olympic Games: “The Olympics is my biggest dream. The goal is to be there, but I know the competition is very large. My debut at Santos was when Neymar left. I played 20 minutes with him and no more. I miss, of course! It was very little, but very good. I think we have to look up to him, yes, but his story is already done. Now I should have mine.”
