Gabriel Martinelli ready to write his own story at Al Hilal

Gabriel Martinelli says joining Al Hilal represents an important step in his career and has challenged himself to make a lasting contribution to the Saudi Arabian club after completing his move from Arsenal.

The Brazil winger has signed a four-year contract with Al Hilal and will wear the number seven shirt. He said he was delighted to begin a new chapter with the club and wanted to help them achieve their ambitions.

“Being at Al Hilal means a lot to me, and I am extremely happy with this step. I look forward to giving my best and helping the team achieve its goals,” Martinelli told the club’s media centre.

Martinelli, who became an Al Hilal player after leaving English club Arsenal, said he hoped to make an impact during his time with the four-time Asian champions.

The 25-year-old also spoke about following in the footsteps of fellow Brazilian Neymar, who previously played for Al Hilal. Martinelli said representing the same club as the former Brazil international was a source of considerable pride for both him and his family.

“Playing for the same club that Neymar played for makes me very proud. I am very happy to be here, and so is my family. I hope to do something that makes me part of Al Hilal’s history,” he said.

Neymar joined Al Hilal before returning to Santos, while Martinelli now begins his own spell at the Riyadh club with expectations high following his arrival from Arsenal.

The new Al Hilal winger made clear that establishing a personal legacy would be among his main objectives. He wants supporters to remember him as a player who gave everything for the team’s shirt.

“I want to leave my mark at Al Hilal, achieve many things with the team and be remembered by the fans as a player who gave everything for this shirt,” Martinelli added.

He was also asked to identify the best goal of his career so far. Martinelli admitted the decision was difficult before choosing his effort for Brazil against Japan at the 2026 World Cup.

“The choice is a little difficult, but I will choose my goal against Japan during the 2026 World Cup because it is a goal I am very proud of,” he said.

Away from football, Martinelli revealed that flying and travelling are among his personal interests. He said the passion began during childhood, when he regularly travelled with his father, and that those memories had stayed with him.

“I love flying, and when I was a child I used to travel with my father. That is something that has stayed in my mind until now,” he said.

Al Hilal’s announcement of Martinelli’s arrival marks the start of a new period for the player and the club. The Saudi side and the Brazil international share the ambition of turning the transfer into one of the most significant experiences of his career, with Martinelli determined to contribute on the pitch and build a place for himself in the club’s history.