| Gabriel Peres | |
| Fullname: | Gabriel Schmegel Wotter Peres |
| Birth Date: | 5 March 1997 |
| Birth Place: | Pelotas, Brazil |
| Height: | 1.97 m |
| Position: | Centre-back |
| Currentclub: | Sabah |
| Clubnumber: | 4 |
| Clubs1: | Concórdia AC |
| Caps1: | 11 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years1: | 2020–2021 |
| Clubs2: | CRAC |
| Caps2: | 7 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2022 |
| Clubs3: | Brasil de Pelotas |
| Caps3: | 6 |
| Goals3: | 1 |
| Years3: | 2022 |
| Clubs4: | Sabah |
| Caps4: | 27 |
| Goals4: | 5 |
| Years4: | 2023– |
| Club-Update: | 21 November 2023 |
Gabriel Schmegel Wotter Peres (born 5 March 1997, nicknamed "Sabahan Giant Tanker" in Sabah)[1] is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Malaysia Super League club Sabah.
Peres was born in Pelotas, Brazil and starting his career on football with Concórdia AC.[2] Gabriel Peres began his first professional import debut in Malaysian club, as Sabah football club import player.[3] [4]
His strength and talent while at the Brazilian club was more defensive and less striking up front with little opportunity to score in the attacking area. Such a thing happened because of his experience which did not stand out much at that time. However, he scored one goal while joining the club Brasil de Pelotas (Now known as Grêmio Esportivo Brasil, a club from his hometown) in 2022 and it was there that the Manager of SFC Co. Ltd, Ong Kim Swee, and the management of Sabah FC began to see the hidden potential of Gabriel Peres. He stands out more and more with his defensive technique and attacking technique in the front area of the team. Gabriel at Sabah FC is famous for his strong defensive style and very sharp heading technique that defeated several Asian clubs. His header technique has become a "trademark" for Gabriel Peres and Sabah supporters. Since December 2023, he has been nicknamed "Tanker" because of his strong defensive technique that dignifies his big and tall body. He was also given the title of "Master of Headers Goal" because of his attacking technique that prioritizes the use of his height from a hattrick assist or a free kick that uses sharp headers. He has scored more than 5 goals including friendly matches since October 2023 together with Sabah FC, making Sabah the first club he is comfortable with in all positions.[5] [6] [7] [8]
Before playing for CRAC, Peres played for Concordia.[9] [10]
Before the 2023 season, he signed for Sabah football club, his first club career becoming import player outside from Brazil.[11] In December 3, 2023 Rumours said that he will continued the contract of Sabah FC for another 1 year based on trusted Asian soccer media, The Malayantigerfans facebook page, MakanBola news and SabahMediaBola news. Additionally, Ong Kim Swee make a statement that he doesn't want his players (mentioning Sabah's season 2023 players) get disturbed due to rumours from other clubs or from the news.[12] In December 20, 2023, the media confirmed that the both import players of Sabah, Gabriel Peres and Telmo Castanheira done signed in and continued for another one year of Sabah FC contract until April 2025.