Newcastle United’s Joelinton has told UOL that he would like to return to Brazil in the future.
The 28-year-old came through the ranks of Brazilian side Sport Recife and made his way to their first team in 2014. He spent a year there before leaving for TSG Hoffenheim.
Newcastle took him from the Bundesliga side in 2019 and he’s been a regular under Eddie Howe’s orders. Back in April, Joelinton signed a new contract with the Magpies until 2028.
It’s been over nine years since he left South America, and Joelinton has now opened the door to returning to his former club. UOL add he ‘surprises everyone’ by also publicly talking about his admiration for two other teams.
“God willing, one day I hope to return and end my career at Sport, the club where I started,” he said.
It’s worth noting he has only expressed his desire to join one of Sport Recife, São Paulo and Palmeiras. There hasn’t been anything concrete in Brazil recently about the latter two having any interest in him.
The Brazil international is playing alongside his compatriot, Bruno Guimarães at St James’ Park. The 26-year-old arrived at the Tyneside club from Lyon in January 2022, months after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund [PIF] took over the club.
The former Hoffenheim man has heaped praise on Guimarães.
“It’s incredible, I think he wanted to play on the first day,” Joelinton explained.
“The coach held him back a bit until he got him playing. But since then, he’s been in the starting lineup, he’s never left. There’s no way: the quality he has, the leadership, the energy he brings, the experience… It’s incredible, it’s like he’s been at the club for 15 years. The fans love Bruno, he loves the fans.”
