Ahead of Newcastle United’s clash against Manchester United in the Premier League this weekend, ESPN Brasil today features a very interesting interview with Magpies star Bruno Guimarães.
Speaking to journalist João Castelo-Branco, the 25-year-old talked about the affection he’s got from clubs fans since the day he arrived, and claims that in case things continue like this, he’ll end up getting a statue at St. James’ Park.
“I think that the affection they have for me here is something that I only had at Athletico Paranaense, when I was still very young, when I was champion of the Copa do Brasil and Sul Americana. Here I won nothing and the fans already have a huge affection for me. I wonder when we win a trophy. I think there will be a little space for me next to Alan Shearer’s statue (laughs),” Bruno Guimarães told ESPN Brasil.
With Newcastle facing Manchester United for the first time since the EFL Cup final, Bruno was asked what that game represented to him.
The midfielder admitted how frustrated he was at missing out on that chance for his first title with the Magpies, but mentioned how important that was for the process to make the club more successful in the near future.
“If we see the party of our fans, everything they did to go to London. The way we were playing, we had been undefeated for 18 games, if I’m not mistaken. So we believed it was possible, unfortunately it wasn’t this time, but I believe that… Newcastle had not gone to a final for a long time. And the club, with a new owner, with new investment, with everything new, have to get used to it again.
“You have to get used to going to Wembley again, playing big games, dreaming big. That’s why I’m here, because I dream big, I’m ambitious. I believe the new owners are like that too. And this is the profile of player, people, we are looking for. I think it was definitely difficult. But this shows that we are on the right track. Arriving at finals, and that’s how we’ll gain a shell so that in the next ones we can adapt and, God willing, win a trophy here, that’s my goal.”
There’s only one thing Bruno Guimarães is not satisfied with, and that’s the English weather. Born in Rio de Janeiro, the midfielder grew up used to the sunny beaches in his city, and has explained that made his adaptation to the city a little more difficult.
“Even more so for a carioca. It’s cold. If I could change one thing here, it would be the weather, which is very cold. But other than that, I think everyone has really embraced me here. Wherever I go on the streets, people go ‘Bruno, Bruno’… it’s a wonderful affection.”
