Joelinton’s season has taken a difficult turn, and his recent exclusion from Brazil’s national team has only added to his woes. Once a vital figure under Eddie Howe, the Brazilian midfielder has found himself in a challenging position as Newcastle United continue to battle inconsistency across competitions.
While the Magpies have made progress in cup tournaments, their Premier League form has been far from convincing, leaving several players under scrutiny and Joelinton chief among them.
The 29-year-old’s recent performances have fallen below expectations. Against West Ham, he looked out of rhythm as Newcastle suffered another disappointing defeat.
Despite playing a full 90 minutes, Joelinton struggled to make an impact, shifting across multiple roles even ending up on the left wing in the second half.
His lack of influence on the game reflected a player searching for confidence and direction, and his place in the starting lineup is now under serious threat.
Manager Eddie Howe faces a selection dilemma ahead of the crucial Champions League fixture against Athletic Bilbao at St James’ Park. With the competition for midfield spots heating up, Joelinton is no longer guaranteed a starting berth.
Joe Willock, Jacob Ramsey, and Lewis Miley are all pushing hard to claim a place in the side, and Howe may be tempted to shake things up to spark a reaction.
Adding to Joelinton’s frustrations, Brazil’s manager Carlo Ancelotti has decided to leave him out of the national squad for the upcoming international break in November.
It’s a harsh reality for the midfielder, whose recent dip in form seems to have cost him a spot on the international stage. The Seleção will face Senegal in London on November 15 and Tunisia in Lille three days later, but Joelinton will have to watch from home while his club teammate Bruno Guimarães joins the squad once again.
Joelinton had been part of Brazil’s recent trip to the Far East, where the team faced South Korea and Japan. That experience proved frustrating after a long flight delay caused by an emergency landing, he only managed a brief appearance off the bench in the 3-2 defeat to Japan following a 5-0 victory over South Korea.
The omission from Ancelotti’s latest squad is a significant setback for the player, especially with the World Cup less than a year away.
In contrast, Guimarães continues to be a key player for both club and country. Despite struggling in Newcastle’s 3-1 loss to West Ham, he remains one of the first names on Ancelotti’s teamsheet.
The Newcastle captain has been a standout performer in the Premier League, contributing three goals and two assists in nine appearances so far. Alongside him, Brazil’s midfield includes established names such as Lucas Paquetá, Casemiro, Fabinho, and Chelsea youngster Andrey Santos.
Ancelotti’s latest selection also includes a few surprises. Palmeiras striker Vitor Roque, who has yet to hit top form at Barcelona, has earned a recall, while Neymar remains absent as he continues to recover from a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The legendary forward, who recently returned to action for Santos after seven weeks out, has struggled to regain full fitness. Speaking about Neymar’s absence, Ancelotti said, “I haven’t spoken to Neymar again. We’ll see when he can recover and play again.”
For Joelinton, being dropped from both club and country is a clear message that he must rediscover his form quickly. His work rate and physical presence have long been assets, but his recent displays have lacked the sharpness and intensity that once made him a fan favourite.
With Newcastle pushing to remain competitive in multiple competitions, the Brazilian will need to prove he still has a vital role to play in Howe’s plans.
As the Magpies prepare for their showdown with Athletic Bilbao, all eyes will be on Howe’s lineup. Whether Joelinton starts or finds himself on the bench, his response in the coming weeks will be crucial not only for his club future but also for any hopes of forcing his way back into Brazil’s plans ahead of the World Cup.
