Gabriel and the Game Beyond the Pitch
In the midst of the World Cup, football once again takes center stage. As national teams compete on the sport’s biggest platform, the spotlight also turns to a new generation of athletes whose influence extends far beyond the pitch. Today, footballers are no longer defined solely by their performances on the field—they are becoming increasingly influential in fashion, business, and the art of building their own personal brands.
Gabriel Girotto Franco is part of this new generation. A Red Bull athlete, he balances the demands of elite competition with a vision that extends beyond the game. While remaining fully committed to his football career, he is also pursuing ventures in entrepreneurship, fashion, and social impact, demonstrating a modern understanding of how an athletic career can evolve beyond sport itself.
This expansion of interests is not a change in direction, but a natural progression. The discipline, consistency, and ambition required to compete at the highest level translate seamlessly into other fields, placing Gabriel among a growing group of international athletes who are transforming their careers into platforms for creativity, business, and influence.
His involvement in the styling for this issue of Galore reflects this evolution. More than simply embracing fashion, it reveals someone who understands image as a form of expression and creativity as an essential part of a long-term vision. After all, when the opening whistle gives way to the choices made beyond the field, some athletes discover that the most compelling game is the one that continues long after the final ninety minutes.
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
You’ve built your career with a lot of talent and dedication. What are the most memorable moments of your journey so far? And how has your experience been playing for Red Bull?
The most memorable moments are from the youth academy, when I gave up a lot of things to train, and signing my first professional contract. Every difficult stage made me appreciate where I am today. Playing for Red Bull Bragantino has been a very enriching experience. It’s a club with world-class structure that demands a lot on a daily basis, but also prepares you to perform at the highest level. Wearing this shirt is both a responsibility and a great source of pride.
How do discipline and the demands of being a high-performance athlete impact your life off the pitch?
It impacts it 100%. Being an athlete is not just about the 90 minutes on the pitch. It’s about how you sleep, how you eat, and how you recover. That discipline becomes a lifestyle. Off the field, I’m more structured and focused on my goals. You start to understand that every choice has a consequence on the pitch. And I don’t see it as a sacrifice because it’s everything I’ve always dreamed of.
How do you see the current landscape of world football? What have you made of Brazil’s performance in this World Cup?
I see world football at a very high level today. It has become more physical, more tactical, and faster. The World Cup is a short tournament, where there is no room for mistakes, because they can be decisive. Every match is decided by details. Regarding the Brazilian national team, it is a shirt that will always carry pressure. Brazil has a lot of individual talent, but what decides games is team chemistry. We hope the national team can find that balance and represent the country well.
Football creates passion and high expectations. How do you deal with the responsibility of meeting public expectations and the pressure that sometimes goes beyond the sport itself?
I’ve never seen it as pressure. I see it as a privilege and an opportunity to improve every day. I’ve always played for big clubs with passionate fanbases, so I fully understand what it means to play in packed stadiums. For a high-level athlete like myself, pressure becomes a privilege, and that’s where I perform best. It helps me grow as a player, as a person, and as an athlete.
Who was your biggest football idol, and what did you learn from their journey?
As a high-level athlete, I have idols and inspirations. What inspires me most is the joy of playing football and the resilience to become better every day. Ronaldo Fenômeno, for his strength and resilience through everything he went through in his career. He overcame setbacks, and after a diagnosis that said he would never play again, he came back, became the best player in the world, and won a World Cup for our country. Ronaldo Fenômeno, Neymar, and Ronaldinho Gaúcho represent what Brazilian football is: street football, joyful football, and playing with happiness at your feet. It reflects the talent, effort, and resilience that a footballer must have at all times.
Many people know you only on the field. Outside the four lines, who is Gabriel?
Outside the four lines, I am much more than a football player. I am passionate about sports. I am an entrepreneur with businesses worldwide, and I have a strong interest in the global fashion industry. Currently, I develop projects focused on this segment, in addition to social impact initiatives that reflect the values I believe in.
Being featured in the styling of Galore is part of one of the projects I am developing together with my team, bringing together identity, purpose, and long-term vision. I bring into the business world the same dedication, discipline, and ambition that have always guided my journey on the field.
TEAM CREDITS:
Editor-in-Chief: Prince Chenoa
Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
Brazil Editor & Photographer: Leonardo Loreto (@leonardoloreto)
Writer: Gillian Caetano (@gilliancaetano)
Cover Art Design: Carlos Graciano (@sadpapi666)
Photography Retouch & Color: Kaio César (@kaiocsr)
Creative, Wardrobe Stylist & Production: Jonatas Jacque (@jonatasjacque)
