Gabriel Pec

Gabriel Pec is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Cruzeiro in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. Known for his electric pace, close control, and fearless dribbling, he emerged from Vasco da Gama's famed youth system and has quickly become one of the most exciting young attackers in Brazilian football. As of 2026, he is a regular starter for Cruzeiro, with over 100 senior club appearances and a growing reputation for delivering in big moments, including a memorable goal against Boca Juniors in continental competition.[edit]

Gabriel Fortes Chaves was born on 11 February 2001 in Petrópolis, a mountain city in Rio de Janeiro state. From a very young age, he was drawn to football, kicking a ball through the narrow streets and small pitches of his hometown. His family noticed his raw talent early and supported his dream, enrolling him in the youth academy of Vasco da Gama, one of Brazil's most historic clubs.

Pec progressed through every level of Vasco's youth setup, from the under-17s to the under-20s and the reserve team. Coaches were struck by his natural ability to take on defenders one-on-one and his composure in front of goal. He spent years refining his technique and tactical awareness, often staying after training to practice dribbling drills. His big break came in 2021, when he was promoted to the senior squad and made his professional debut, marking the start of his rise.[edit]

Pec made his senior debut for Vasco da Gama in 2021. The following year, he became a regular starter in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B, scoring 8 goals in 38 appearances and playing a key role in Vasco's promotion back to the top flight. In 2023, he adapted well to the Série A, making 43 appearances across all competitions and proving he belonged at the highest national level.

In January 2024, Pec completed a permanent transfer to Cruzeiro, signing a contract until December 2028. The move was a major step in his career, and he quickly became a fan favorite at the Mineirão. One of his standout moments came in the 2024 Copa Sudamericana, when he scored a crucial goal against Boca Juniors in the Round of 16, helping Cruzeiro advance 2-1 on aggregate. By 2025, he had solidified his place in the starting XI and entered 2026 as a key figure in Cruzeiro's attack.[edit]

In Brazilian media, Gabriel Pec is described as a classic Brazilian winger, skillful, fast, and direct. His game is built on taking on defenders and creating chances through dribbles and quick combinations. Cruzeiro fans, known as the Massa Azul, have embraced him for his work rate and willingness to track back. He does not have a distinct fandom name or signature celebration, but his goal against Boca Juniors made him a cult figure at the club. On social media, he comes across as humble and focused, mixing match highlights with glimpses of his personal life.[edit]

Gabriel Pec's fanbase is as straightforward as his game: no formal name, no organized campaigns, just the roar of the Massa Azul every time he cuts inside. The Cruzeiro faithful have taken to him for his relentless work rate and that fearless dribbling, but there's no documented fandom identity beyond the club's own. He's not the type to cultivate a cult of personality, his Instagram is training clips and quiet moments with his girlfriend, Larissa Andrade. The devotion is real, but it's the kind that shows up in matchday noise, not in hashtags or billboards.

In the global fame stakes, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated Gabriel Pec, and as of August 2026, he is EVALUATED_UNRANKED, meaning he does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings, whether the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. It's a neutral statement, not a slight, his renown is still building, driven by flashes of brilliance like that goal against Boca Juniors and a transfer saga that made headlines across Brazil.

What he lacks in ranking, he makes up for in story. The defining moment of his recent career came in July 2026, when a brutal tackle from Internacional's Víctor Gabriel left him with a broken tibia. The injury itself was bad enough, but the aftermath turned into something unprecedented: a Brazilian court ruled that Víctor Gabriel's suspension would last until Pec fully recovers and returns to training. It was a landmark decision, covered by ESPN, The New York Times Athletic, and UPI, a legal twist that made Pec a symbol of resilience and, in a strange way, of justice. Fans and media will be retelling that one for years.[edit]

Gabriel Pec's nickname is a family-given name from childhood, not a stage moniker. He emerged from Vasco da Gama's famed youth academy, the same system that produced legends like Romário and Philippe Coutinho. His transfer from Vasco to Cruzeiro in 2024 was one of the biggest stories in the Brazilian January window, and he later moved to LA Galaxy before returning to Brazil. At the under-20 level, he earned 5 caps for Brazil and scored 1 goal. Off the pitch, he is active on Instagram, sharing training clips and personal moments with his girlfriend, Larissa Andrade.

The most iconic chapter of his career so far unfolded in July 2026. After Cruzeiro announced his signing for a $12 million fee from LA Galaxy, Pec suffered a broken tibia from a tackle by Internacional defender Víctor Gabriel. What followed made football history: a Brazilian court ruled that Víctor Gabriel's suspension would last until Pec fully recovers and returns to training. The decision was widely reported as unprecedented. It turned a grim injury into a story of accountability that fans still talk about, a moment that defined Pec's resilience and changed the conversation around player protection.[edit]

Gabriel Pec keeps his family life relatively private. He was raised in Petrópolis by his parents, who encouraged his football ambitions from a young age and supported his move to Rio de Janeiro to join Vasco's academy. He has not publicly named his parents or siblings. As of 2026, he is in a relationship with model and influencer Larissa Andrade, but they do not have children. Pec does not have any publicly known pets.[edit]

Gabriel Pec is closely associated with Vasco da Gama, where he developed as a youth and broke into professional football. At Cruzeiro, he plays alongside experienced teammates and under the club's coaching staff. His girlfriend, Larissa Andrade, is a Brazilian model and influencer who frequently appears in his social media posts.[edit]

Gabriel Pec's public dating history is limited. As of 2024, he has been in a relationship with Brazilian model and influencer Larissa Andrade. The couple frequently shares photos on social media, and their relationship is widely known among fans. Prior to this, there are no verified records of other long-term relationships or high-profile flings. As of 2026, Pec and Andrade are still together, though they are not engaged or married.[edit]

iFANN's editorial research currently estimates Gabriel Pec's net worth at $3 million. The bulk of that wealth comes from his salary at Cruzeiro, where he signed a contract through 2028. His January 2024 move from Vasco da Gama included a signing bonus, and his subsequent transfer to LA Galaxy and back to Cruzeiro in 2026 added to his earnings. As a young player at a major Brazilian club, he likely has local endorsement deals, though none are publicly reported at a national level. He does not have major real estate or investment holdings publicly known.[edit]