Gabriel Martinelli’s World Cup call shows ‘lack of RESPECT for football’, ex-Brazil star says.

Brazil manager Tite has been accused of showing a “lack of respect for football” after his “joke” call-up of Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli for the World Cup in Qatar.

Martinelli, 21, played in Brazil’s fourth division during the 2018 World Cup in Russia but has soared to superstardom in the Premier League and now finds himself part of Tite’s 26-man squad.

But the news was not well received by former Brazil midfielder Neto, who called it a “disaster” and said Tite’s “shame” at overlooking Flamengo star Gabigol in favor of Martinelli is proof he should not be coaching in Qatar .

‘This is a shame, a joke! I am ashamed! Not because of Dani Alves’ story. What is Martinelli’s story? 33 career goals, Neto said in a speech on Os Donos da Bola.

– This is a shame, a lack of respect for football.

Doing this with football shows you don’t deserve the position you’re in.

“Calling Martinelli and not calling Gabigol is a lack of respect. The biggest shame of all calls.’

Neto continued his furious put-down of the Arsenal youngster, adding that “no one knows who he is” back in Brazil.

“Calling up Martinelli shows that you, Tite, should not be in the position you are, because you are not fair to Gabigol,” Neto continued.

The guy (Martinelli) who scores five goals in the season, who walks around the mall here, nobody knows who he is… And don’t take Gabigol, the guy who scored the goal for the Libertadores title, who scored 29 goals in the season.’

He added: “What has Martinelli done in European football? Arsenal are not even in the Champions League. This is an accident!

Gabigol is hugely popular back in Brazil and is a player in fine form himself after scoring the goal to seal the Copa Libertadores against Corinthians last month.

Martinelli is part of a star-studded nine-man attack that also includes Antony (Manchester United), Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal), Neymar (PSG), Pedro (Flamengo), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Richarlison (Tottenham Hotspur), and Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid).

Jesus also came into Neto’s firing line after he first accused the striker of joining a “small club” at Arsenal before questioning his place in the final 26-man squad.

‘How many goals has Gabriel Jesus scored in the last matches? Oh, no one, said Neto.

‘In the World Cup? Zero. In the qualifiers? Zero. He has not scored in eight games.

Footage of Neymar during the squad announcement appeared to show him raising his eyes when Martinelli’s name was read out.

The Arsenal winger has just three senior caps for his country, playing just 81 minutes across three games for the Selecao.

He made his senior debut in a friendly against Japan in June but has been one of the Premier League’s standout performers so far this season, helping his case for selection.

Having amassed just three caps for the Under-23s, Martinelli lacks some international experience, but it seems Brazil boss Tite is ready to bring the young star into the fold after a few underwhelming seasons with the Gunners.

After joining the club in 2019, Martinelli has become a favorite at the Emirates, providing five goals and two assists in 13 Premier League appearances already this season.