🇧🇷 Martinelli 'not worried' about doubters after Brazil World Cup call | OneFootball

Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli has dismissed any doubts over his call to the Brazil World Cup squad after a video circulated on social media that appeared to show Neymar reacting with surprise when the Arsenal man’s selection was announced.

“I hope it was a good surprise,” Martinelli admitted to AFP. “Neymar is a hero of mine, he’s a guy all the youngsters look up to and I’m no different.

“It’s a pleasure to be here playing with him.”

Martinelli has five goals and two assists in domestic action this season, level with striker Gabriel Jesus.

“My season is going well, we are on the top of the Premier League, we are doing well there, and I am confident.

“I don’t pay much attention to people that don’t know me, that don’t know how hard I work.

“I just have to focus on football, listen to my family and the people close to me. That’s what’s most important to me.”

Brazil face Serbia in their World Cup opener on Thursday, with Aleksandar Mitrović on top form for Fulham this season domestically.

“He is a big guy, we know he has a lot of qualities and he is good as well,” admitted Martinelli.

“We have to take care of him, but not just him, they have a very good team as well.”