Rio Ferdinand has revealed that Gabriel Magalhães once slid into his DMs after taking issue with the pundit’s criticism.
But the Arsenal defender has since gone on to prove exactly why he’s one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League, with Rio Ferdinand since praising the Brazilian.
Gabriel’s Rise at Arsenal
Since joining Arsenal from Lille in 2020 for £27m, Gabriel has grown into one of Mikel Arteta’s most trusted players. Alongside William Saliba, he forms arguably the best centre-back partnership in English football – a pairing that has transformed Arsenal’s defensive solidity and given the team the backbone needed to challenge.
Gabriel’s blend of physicality, aerial dominance, and relentless aggression has made him a nightmare for opposition strikers.
Rio Ferdinand’s Criticism and Gabriel’s Response
During punditry on a game, Rio Ferdinand had suggested that Gabriel was prone to “a few bad decisions” – costly errors that held Arsenal back.
Speaking on his podcast Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former Manchester United defender revealed the full story:
“You know, actually, who I’ve been enjoying watching lately? Gabriel.
He’s so aggressive. So aggressive. I was watching him against Liverpool, and I was thinking… remember when he came back at me in my DMs?
Well, what happened, right, he gave away a penalty late on in the season, a few bad decisions, like penalties and stuff.
I said that, to become a top defender, he’s got to be less emotional and making them rash decisions in them critical moments in games.
The sooner he gets out of his game, he’ll be a better footballer, a better player.
And he came back in my DMs, going like, ‘You’ve never played the game if that’s how you’re going on, and I respected you, but the way you’re talking about me, it’s not fair’ – and I understand that.
Because I felt like that when pundits spoke about me, but I think as time’s gone on, and I think when I see him again and we chat about it, at some point, I think he’ll go, ‘Do you know what, actually you were probably right at the time, I just didn’t take it the right way’.
I watch him now, that’s the only part of his game that’s improved.
There’s bits that have improved elsewhere, don’t get me wrong here, but he’s just eradicated silly, rash mistakes, which were holding him back.
Experience, time, patience for these guys – that’s what you need to give them. Let them flourish.”
Ferdinand’s comments show just how far Gabriel has come in silencing his critics.
Recognition and Achievements
Gabriel’s progress hasn’t gone unnoticed. He has:
- Made 213 appearances for Arsenal so far.
- Been named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year in both 2024 and 2025.
- Most goals scored by a Premier League defender since the start of the 22/23 season
From an Arsenal perspective, it’s satisfying to see Gabriel silence his doubters, especially somebody like Rio Ferdinand. Critics – whether rival pundits or opposition fans – love to magnify any mistake, but the truth is Gabriel has been consistently world-class for two seasons now.
The fact Ferdinand himself has gone from questioning him to openly praising his growth says it all. Gabriel embodies the defensive resilience under Mikel Arteta and he’s now rightly being recognised as one of the best central defenders in the world.
