Gabriel Magalhaes was substituted off on his debut for Brazil with a knock, but the early signs appear to suggest it’s not a serious injury problem.

Brazilian players pose for a team photo before the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Brazil and Bolivia at the Jornalista Edgar Proença 'Mangueirao' stadium, in Belem, state of Para, Brazil, on September 8, 2023. (Photo by CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images)
Brazilian players pose for a team photo before the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Brazil and Bolivia at the Jornalista Edgar Proença ‘Mangueirao’ stadium, in Belem, state of Para, Brazil, on September 8, 2023. (Photo by CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images)

After a long wait, Gabriel Magalhaes finally made his debut for Brazil in their World Cup qualifier against Bolivia on Friday night.

The match went well on an individual and team basis, with Brazil leading 4-1 when Gabriel was withdrawn. They added a fifth goal in injury time to complete a dominant opening qualification fixture.

The Arsenal centre-back completed 93% of his passes and even technically created a big chance, although Neymar did almost all of the work to forge the opportunity for himself.

Gabriel also won all three of his individual ground duels, making three clearances, one interception, and one tackle without being dribbled past once.

Yet the appearance ended earlier than the defender would have hoped, as he came off in the 84th minute with an injury concern.

BELEM, BRAZIL: Neymar Jr. (C) of Brazil receives treatment during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Brazil and Bolivia at Mangueirao on September 08, 2023. Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes stands off to the right-hand side (Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images)
BELEM, BRAZIL: Neymar Jr. (C) of Brazil receives treatment during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Brazil and Bolivia at Mangueirao on September 08, 2023. Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes stands off to the right-hand side (Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images)

After being substituted, Gabriel could be seen with an ice pack on his leg, raising further concerns about a serious issue.

But Dr. Rajpal Brar writes on Twitter that the thigh issue sounds like it was contact related, rather than a muscle pull, which would be good news for the 25-year-old.

Arsenal fans will be concerned nonetheless, with Gabriel only just having come back into the team against Manchester United.

The centre-back caught the eye playing Alejandro Garnacho offside, and supporters were excited to see a return to the back four that was so successful last season, as Oleksandr Zinchenko also returned to the team.

WASHINGTON, DC: Gabriel Magalhães #6 of Arsenal FC in action during the MLS All-Star Game between Arsenal FC and MLS All-Stars at Audi Field on July 19, 2023. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC: Gabriel Magalhães #6 of Arsenal FC in action during the MLS All-Star Game between Arsenal FC and MLS All-Stars at Audi Field on July 19, 2023. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

With any luck, Gabriel’s problem will turn out to be nothing serious and he can be involved again over the international break, before returning to play for Arsenal against Everton at Goodison Park next weekend.