Gabriel Girotto Franco (born in Campinas 11 July 1992), simply known as Gabriel, is a Brazilian and Italian footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder. He currently plays for Internacional, where he received the nickname "RUF RUF" from the fans.[2] He currently plays for Athletico Paranaense, on loan from Internacional.[3]
 Gabriel with Internacional in 2023 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Gabriel Girotto Franco | ||
| Date of birth | 11 July 1992 | ||
| Place of birth | Campinas, Brazil | ||
| Height | 1.72 m (5 ft 7 1⁄2 in)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Defensive midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Club Athletico Paranaense | ||
| Number | 3 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2006–2011 | Paulínia | ||
| 2011–2012 | Botafogo | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2011 | Paulínia | 1 | (0) |
| 2012–2014 | Botafogo | 123 | (2) |
| 2015–2016 | Monte Azul | 0 | (0) |
| 2015–2016 | → Palmeiras (loan) | 59 | (3) |
| 2017–2022 | Corinthians | 238 | (8) |
| 2022– | Internacional | 27 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:25, 26 October 2021 (UTC) | |||
Club career
editBotafogo
editGabriel began his career at Paulínia in 2010, where he competed in the São Paulo State Championship Second Division in 2010 and the A3 Series in 2011. He competed for the São Paulo club in the 2011 São Paulo Junior Football Cup,[4] in a group that also included Botafogo.[5] His performance caught the attention of the Rio club, to which he transferred in the same year, playing from the youth categories.
In 2012, Gabriel, showing his potential in the youth categories, was promoted to the main team of the Rio team by coach Oswaldo de Oliveira. Over time, Gabriel stood out in the squad, earning a starting position in the Botafogo squad.
He was the undefeated champion of the Rio Championship in 2013 in both rounds.
At 22 years old, the player, who played 35 out of 38 games, finished the Brazilian Championship as the third place in the tackles category: he did it 131 times.
Gabriel was called up for the Brazilian national team in 2013 by coach Alexandre Galo, but was not released by coach Oswaldo de Oliveira, claiming that the defensive midfielder, then a starter, was very important for the sequence of 6 games of Botafogo, leader of the Brazilian championship at the time.
On 15 December 2014 Gabriel terminated his contract with the Rio club.
Palmeiras
editOn 26 December 2014 Gabriel was announced as a player for Palmeiras on a two-year loan with the option to buy by the São Paulo team. After having terminated his contract with Botafogo, he was linked to Monte Azul, a team from the A2 Series of the Paulistão, thus being passed on loan to the green and white club.[6] The player was also sought after by Cruzeiro, the Brazilian champion of 2014.[7]
On 31 January 2015 he made his debut for Palmeiras, in a victory over Audax by 3 to 1, in a match valid for the 2015 São Paulo Championship.
In the first half of 2015, the defensive midfielder maintained a good phase. In addition to having been the player with the most duels (21 matches after the end of the state tournament), Gabriel was elected the best defensive midfielder of the Paulista.[8]
In the middle of the year, when he won a song and the nickname "Pitbull" from the fans, the athlete seriously injured his left knee in a match valid for the 2015 Brazilian Championship, against Atlético Paranaense and was out for the rest of the season.[9]
The player was champion of the Brazil Cup with Palmeiras in the year 2015.
The player was champion of the Brazilian Championship with Palmeiras in the year 2016. Elected crowd's favorite and best in his position in the championship.
On 5 January 2017, in mutual agreement with Palmeiras, the contract was not renewed.[10]
Corinthians
editOn 13 January 2017 Gabriel was announced as a new reinforcement for Corinthians for four seasons.[10]
He debuted with the Corinthians shirt on 18 January in the semifinal against Vasco da Gama, for the 2017 Florida Cup tournament.[10]
On 22 February 2017, in the classic against Palmeiras, Gabriel, who already had a yellow card, was unjustly expelled by referee Thiago Duarte Peixoto who thought that the defensive midfielder had pulled Keno in a counterattack by Palmeiras, but who did that was Maycon.[11]
Even with one less player, Corinthians managed to leave the field with the victory, counting on a goal from Jô, at 42 minutes of the second half.[12] On 6 March Gabriel had his expulsion annulled by the TJD.[13]
He scored his first goal with the black and white shirt in the 2–0 victory over Luverdense, in a match valid for the 2017 Brazil Cup.[14]
On 7 May he won his first title with the Corinthians shirt, the 2017 São Paulo Championship.[15]
On 15 November 2017, after a 3–1 victory over Fluminense, he won the Brazilian Championship.[16] Gabriel was elected the best defensive midfielder of the competition by the Mesa Redonda Trophy.[17]
On 8 April 2018, after a victory over Palmeiras, by 1–0 in normal time, and 4–3 on penalties, he won the São Paulo championship for the second time with Corinthians.[18]
He reached the mark of 100 games with the black and white shirt, in the friendly against Grêmio, on 8 July 2018, and declared himself to Corinthians by reading a letter to the Fiel.[19]
For his highlight in the season, he received a proposal from Al-Hilal.[20] The player even said goodbye to the São Paulo club, but had his contract breached by the Arab club upon arrival in Dubai, returning to Corinthians.[21]
On 2 May 2021 he reached the mark of 200 games with the Corinthians shirt, in a 2–2 draw against São Paulo, for the 2021 São Paulo Championship.[22][23]
For Corinthians, he scored a goal against all rivals from São Paulo, the last one against Santos in November 2021.
On 4 February 2022 the player said goodbye to his club teammates[24] and on 10 February he said goodbye to the club on his social networks. There were 238 games and 8 goals with the shirt of the São Paulo club.[25]
Gabriel leaves Corinthians being the leader in tackles of the Brasileirão.
Internacional
editOn 4 February 2022 Internacional confirmed his signing, being officially announced on 10 February with a two-year contract.[26][27] He was introduced on 11 February.[28]
In August 2022, Gabriel became the leader in tackles in the Serie A of the Brazilian Championship for Internacional.
In 2022, even with an injury in the middle of the championship, he was the second highest tackler in the Brasileirão.
He played as captain[29] for the first time in the 3–1 victory against Flamengo and assumed the position of captain throughout several games, becoming a key piece in the squad and trust of coach Mano Menezes.
The fans adopted the nickname "RUF RUF"[2] in allusion to the pitbull dog, in a great phase of the player as captain of the team in 2022.
In March 2023, he launched a line of school supplies, called "RUF RUF" for a social project.[30] The materials were distributed to low-income students from public schools in the Capital Gaúcha.
On 4 May 2023, after an injury, he embarked for Qatar[31][32] to undergo treatment at the Aspetar hospital, which is a reference in recovery.
On 16 October 2023 his contract was renewed with Internacional until December 2025.[33]
Athletico Paranaense
editOn 19 April 2024 Athletico Paranaense officially signed the player on loan until the end of 2024, at the request of the coach Cuca.[3]
Honours
edit- Corinthians
- Palmeiras
- Botafogo-RJ
Individual
edit- Campeonato Paulista Team of the Year: 2015[34]
- Best Defensive Midfielder in Brazil: 2017[35]
References
edit- ^ "Gabriel" (in Portuguese). Sport Club Internacional. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
- ^ a b "Ruf, ruf! Gabriel lidera desarmes no Brasileirão, encanta Mano Menezes e vê apelido colar". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). 24 June 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Athletico oficializa contratação do volante Gabriel, do Internacional". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). 19 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ Campinas, Por GLOBOESPORTE COM e EPTV; SP (24 November 2010). "Federação Paulista de Futebol divulga os grupos da Copinha 2011". globoesporte.com. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Copinha: confira dez revelações de clubes pequenos nos últimos cinco anos | Blog Na Base da Bola". globoesporte.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). 6 January 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ Paulo, Por Marcelo HazanSão (26 December 2014). "Sem Daniel, Palmeiras acerta empréstimo com Gabriel, ex-Botafogo". globoesporte.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Na mira do Cruzeiro, Gabriel entra na Justiça contra o Botafogo".
- ^ Paulo, Por GloboEsporte comSão (30 April 2015). "Finalistas, Palmeiras e Santos dominam a seleção do Paulistão". globoesporte.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ Paulo, Por Fabricio CrepaldiSão (3 August 2015). "Exame detecta lesão grave, e Gabriel, do Palmeiras, não joga mais neste ano". globoesporte.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ a b c Paulo, Por GloboEsporte comSão (5 January 2017). "Palmeiras anuncia que não vai renovar com volante Gabriel; rival está de olho". globoesporte.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Árbitro erra feio e expulsa Gabriel do clássico Corinthians x Palmeiras" (in Portuguese). ESPN. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Corinthians x Palmeiras - Campeonato Paulista 2017-2017". globoesporte.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Corinthians x Palmeiras - Campeonato Paulista 2017-2017". globoesporte.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ lance. ""Meu gol foi sofrido, do jeito do Corinthians", diz Gabriel". Terra (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ Teixeira, Marcelo Baseggio Moschini (7 May 2017). "Confira o elenco completo do campeão paulista de 2017". Gazeta Esportiva (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Corinthians: campeão brasileiro de 2017". Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ Belpiede, Marcelo Rodrigues (11 December 2017). "Veja os vencedores da edição 2017 do Troféu Mesa Redonda". Gazeta Esportiva (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Palmeiras x Corinthians - Campeonato Paulista 2018-2018". globoesporte.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ Lance! (7 July 2018). "Gabriel celebra a marca de 100 jogos pelo Corinthians, elenca principais momentos e lê carta à Fiel - Lance!". Gabriel celebra a marca de 100 jogos pelo Corinthians, elenca principais momentos e lê carta à Fiel - Lance! (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Al Hilal prepara proposta para tirar Gabriel do Corinthians | Goal.com Brasil" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Goal. 23 August 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Al-Hilal culpa Gabriel por negociação frustrada com o Corinthians". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). 4 September 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Gabriel completa 200 jogos pelo Corinthians e ganha placa do clube". uol.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Corinthians 2 × 2 São Paulo | Campeonato Paulista: melhores momentos". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Gabriel se despede emocionado no CT do Corinthians e acerta transferência para o Inter" (in Portuguese). ESPN. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Gabriel fala em gratidão na despedida do Corinthians: "Cinco anos deixando tudo em campo"". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). 10 February 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Inter acerta a contratação de Gabriel, do Corinthians". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). 4 February 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Inter oficializa a contratação do volante Gabriel, ex-Corinthians, por duas temporadas". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). 10 February 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Gabriel é apresentado pelo Inter e reforça rótulo de "aguerrido", mas diz que é mais do que isso". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). 11 February 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Internacional 3 × 1 Flamengo | Campeonato Brasileiro: melhores momentos". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ ""Ruf Ruf": Gabriel, do Inter, ajudará crianças carentes com linha de material escolar". GZH (in Brazilian Portuguese). 24 February 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Gabriel segue plano de recuperação no Aspetar". internacional.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Gabriel, do Inter, viaja ao Catar para última etapa de tratamento no joelho direito". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). 5 May 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Inter renova contrato com Gabriel". internacional.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Finalistas, Palmeiras e Santos dominam a seleção do Paulistão" [Finalists, Palmeiras and Santos dominate Paulistão's team of the year] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 30 April 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ^ "Veja os vencedores da edição 2017 do Troféu Mesa Redonda - Gazeta Esportiva". gazetaesportiva.com. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
External links
edit- Palmeiras official profile (in Portuguese)
- Gabriel at Soccerway