The Brazilian’s metamorphosis from struggling striker to totemic midfield dominator has been nothing short of revelatory at St James’ Park. Newcastle’s loveable hero meets FFT to reflect on his rough ride in England, but he insists there’s only one thing on his mind: taking the Toon Army back into Europe…
Words Felipe Rocha
JOELINTON
Seemingly every week in football, someone bounces back while another poor soul loses their touch. Last season, though, Joelinton took this perfectly normal fluctuation to another level. In a campaign in which Mike Ashley was finally ousted from the boardroom and Newcastle United became nouveau riche, it says a lot that the stunning transformation of their 25-year-old from Aliança was responsible for just as much of the buzz. Recruited from Hoffenheim in 2019 to be Newcastle’s new No.9, Joelinton had been unable to justify the Magpies’ staggering club-record £40 million fee – or come close. Throughout his first two years in England, the Brazilian was merely an expensive punchline; goals were collector’s items, and criticism certainly was not. So, when boss Eddie Howe arrived in November last year on the crest of a Saudi-funded tidal wave, it looked obvious that his frontman’s time was running out.
In an odd way, that turned out to be true. During a season where everything changed – for player, for club, even for the Premier League – Joelinton was saved from toiling up top and unexpectedly reinvented as a combative midfielder. The results were remarkable – this time, in a positive sense.
Make no mistake: it’s the same player. But as he talks FFT through his glorious elevation to Toon titan status, Joelinton isn’t bitter about the abuse he received before then. That’s all in the past. Today, he’s interested only in enjoying the turnaround and speaking about helping Newcastle to return to Europe after a decade away. Whisper it, but there’s even chat about Joelinton getting his big chance for Brazil. As a midfielder, of course...
How do you reflect on your Newcastle United journey so far?
It’s been one of ups and downs. My first two years here were everything but easy: I faced a lot of difficulties adapting, both on and off the pitch, but that only makes the current situation even more pleasing. I’ve enjoyed a great season where I could finally deliver what people expect from me, so I’ve already experienced both sides of the coin. There was plenty of frustration during the first two seasons, but then I was voted Newcastle’s player of the season [for 2021-22] and I was over the moon about that. Hopefully I can keep growing and
