Gabriel spoke out after the fateful shot in the Champions League final

The agony of the missed penalty in the Champions League final remains raw for the Arsenal defender, yet he affirms pride in the entire squad's journey and pledges to come back more resilient next season for the supporters.

Gabriel Magalhaes has spoken out after the unforgettable moment in the 2026 Champions League final, when his missed penalty caused Arsenal to fall to Paris Saint-Germain in the historic match in Budapest.

The two teams were inseparable after 120 tense minutes, forcing the match into a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. Goalkeeper David Raya gave Arsenal hope by saving Nuno Mendes' kick. However, Eberechi Eze had missed an earlier chance, piling pressure on Gabriel Magalhaes for the decisive spot-kick.

In that defining moment, the Brazilian center-back sent the ball over the crossbar, thus handing PSG their second consecutive Champions League title. The Parisian club won 4-3 on penalties and became the first team since Real Madrid to successfully defend the European crown.

After the match, Gabriel sent an emotional message to Arsenal fans via social media: "It hurts, but I am incredibly proud of this squad and everything we have achieved together this season. Thank you to the amazing fans who have supported us every step of the way. You deserve to be proud of this journey. See you next season!", the 28-year-old center-back shared.

In response to criticism directed at his player, coach Mikel Arteta immediately stepped up to defend Gabriel. The Spanish manager revealed that the Brazilian defender had voluntarily taken responsibility for the fifth penalty after several of the team's designated takers were no longer on the pitch.

Arteta stated: "Gabriel wanted to take that penalty. We had prepared for this scenario beforehand. Unfortunately, sometimes the pressure of a Champions League final is completely different from training."

Despite missing out on Europe's most prestigious trophy, Arsenal can still be proud of ending a 22-year wait to win the Premier League title. And for Gabriel, the pain in Budapest will serve as motivation for him and his teammates to return even stronger next season.