At a Glance:
Rio Ferdinand has a message for Gabriel Magalhaes after PSG beat Arsenal.
Ferdinand congratulated PSG for winning the Champions League.
Declan Rice reacts to Gabriel’s missed penalty.
Gabriel Magalhaes looked understandably gutted as it was his missed spot-kick that lost Arsenal the Champions League final to PSG on penalties.
Marquinhos consoled Gabriel after PSG’s triumph but the 28-year-old must want the ground to swallow him after the contest.
Kai Havertz fired the Gunners into an early lead and all signs suggested that perhaps the Gunners were destined to make history.
Ousmane Dembele’s eventual equaliser and Gabriel’s poor penalty will ultimately steal the headlines as PSG got over the line against Arsenal but Rio Ferdinand lent his support to the latter.
Rio Ferdinand consoles Gabriel Magalhaes after PSG beat Arsenal in the Champions League final
Before backing Gabriel, Rio Ferdinand congratulated PSG and their manager Luis Enrique for their triumph on X, writing: “Back to back Champions Leagues…congrats to PSG! Luis Enrique, absolute genius.”
Rio Ferdinand added: “Shout out to Arsenal, brilliant season, changed the narrative. Gabriel [is] an absolute rock and [there is] no shame when it comes down to penalties! Respect.”
Back to Back Champions Leagues… Congrats to PSG! Luis Enrique absolute genius 🏆
Shout out to Arsenal, brilliant season, changed the narrative. Gabriel an absolute rock & no shame when it comes down to penalties! Respect 👊🏽
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) May 30, 2026
As the Manchester United legend stressed, Gabriel has been imperious for Arsenal and at the end of the day, even all-time greats have not found the back of the net from 12 yards out in such finals.
More to follow…
Declan Rice reacts to Gabriel Magalhaes’ missed penalty
Considering Rio Ferdinand is a legend of the game, Gabriel will feel honoured to have been praised by the retired defender despite Arsenal’s loss to PSG in the Champions League final.
In the aftermath of the contest, Declan Rice stuck up for him as well as Eberechi Eze, the two players who failed to convert from the penalty spot.
💬 "We're all gutted. 😩"
Declan Rice speaks after Arsenal lose the UEFA Champions League final…
📺 TNT Sports & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/X3oOn8OTvX
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 30, 2026
Rice told TNT Sports: “We love them and we are with them. It happens in football. They won’t be the last players to miss penalties in finals, and without those two we wouldn’t have won the Premier League.
Gabriel, I have run out of words for him as a player and with Eze, he’s got crucial goals for us this season. It’s cruel, but we’ll take the positives and keep going.”
Srinivas Sadhanand
Srinivas Sadhanand is a writer for Read Arsenal and Read Man City, with over eight years of experience as a sports journalist. He has worked for established companies such as GRV Media, The Economic Times, Urban Pitch and Sportskeeda among several others. From interview athletes to writing detailed tactical pieces and covering the impact streetwear and music in football, he has many strings to his bow as a journalist. Being a lifelong Manchester City fan, he specialises in writing about them and the Premier League in particular. Away from the desk, he loves watching European football, cricket, films, listening to music and exploring new foods.
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