Marquinhos: "I was ready to celebrate"

PSG and Brazil defender Marquinhos has explained why, instead of celebrating with the Reds' players after their 2025/2026 Champions League final victory over Arsenal (1-1, 4-3 on penalties), he approached Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes to support his compatriot after he missed a penalty.

“I was ready to celebrate, but when I ran, I saw him right in front of me, and my team ran past him, the same picture as in 2022 with my penalty. At that time I felt sympathy, because I myself experienced something similar (penalty kick in the quarter-final of the 2022 World Cup with Croatia: 1:1, 2:4 penalty kick. - Ed. “Championship”) and I understand what a responsibility it is.

"The next day he texted me thanking me for the support, the hugs and the kind words. I told him that this was the biggest win of the night for me and it was nice to see that kind of reaction. My mother was proud... my wife, my family, my brothers and sisters. For me, this was the best title of the night. A player has to move on quickly to the next challenge. I can't celebrate forever. We already have other things to do, and so does he," Marquinhos said, according to Yahoo Sports.

Both players will participate in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as part of the Brazilian national team.