Bruno Guimaraes ‘sad’ as Newcastle United captain ruled out of next match

Bruno Guimarães, the influential Newcastle United midfielder, will miss Brazil’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Argentina on Wednesday due to suspension.

The 27-year-old, who recently captained Newcastle to their first domestic trophy in 70 years with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, started for Brazil in their dramatic 2-1 win against Colombia earlier this week.

However, a yellow card in the 16th minute of that match has ruled him out of the upcoming clash against Argentina, leaving him sidelined for one of the most anticipated fixtures in international football.

Brazil’s victory over Colombia was a rollercoaster of emotions. Barcelona winger Raphinha opened the scoring just six minutes into the game, but Liverpool’s Luis Díaz equalized before halftime, leaving the scoreline level.

The match seemed destined to end in a draw until the 99th minute, when Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior netted a dramatic late winner to secure all three points for Dorival Júnior’s side. Despite the triumph, Guimarães’ suspension casts a shadow over Brazil’s preparations for their next challenge against arch-rivals Argentina.

Taking to Instagram, Guimarães expressed mixed emotions about the situation. “A very important victory. With determination, grit, and sweat, in the Brazilian style. Thank you, Brasília, for the support. It certainly made a difference for us. We continue to strive for more,” he wrote. “Sad to be out of the next game, but I am sure that I will be another fan of our team.”

His absence will undoubtedly be felt by Brazil, as Guimarães has been a key figure in both his national team and Newcastle’s midfield.

For Guimarães, this suspension provides a rare opportunity to rest and recharge. The Brazilian will be out of action until Newcastle’s Premier League clash against Brentford at St James’ Park on Wednesday, April 2, effectively giving him a 12-day break.

This respite is unusual for the tireless midfielder, who has missed just two matches for club and country over the past two seasons. His relentless schedule has raised concerns about fatigue, with many suggesting he could benefit from a period of rest.

However, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has acknowledged the difficulty of managing Guimarães’ workload, given his importance to the team.

“It’s difficult because I’m sure if you asked Bruno, he would say he doesn’t need a rest,” Howe explained. “It is up to us to look at his schedule and try to find ways to manage that.

We have tried, but he’s such an important player that we have turned to him more often than we would ideally want to because of his strengths and qualities.” Howe highlighted the delicate balance of giving Guimarães sufficient rest while also relying on his exceptional abilities to drive the team forward.

“For example, in the FA Cup, we gave him 45 minutes in the last round and shared that burden with Sandro [Tonali]. His schedule is intense. As soon as we played the Carabao Cup final, he was off to play for his national team, while others were getting rest and recuperation.”

Guimarães’ absence from Brazil’s clash against Argentina will be a blow for both the player and his national team, but it offers a silver lining for Newcastle. The break will allow him to recover physically and mentally ahead of a busy end to the season.

For Brazil, his suspension presents an opportunity for another midfielder to step up and fill the void left by one of their most consistent performers. Meanwhile, Newcastle fans will be eager to see a refreshed Guimarães return to action as the Magpies continue their push for a strong finish in the Premier League and other competitions.

As Guimarães watches from the sidelines, his passion and commitment to both club and country remain unwavering.

His dedication to the game and his ability to perform at the highest level, even under immense physical demands, have made him a fan favorite and a cornerstone of Newcastle’s resurgence.

While his absence against Argentina is a setback, it also serves as a reminder of the importance of managing player workloads in a grueling football calendar. For now, Guimarães will focus on supporting his teammates from afar, knowing that his next opportunity to shine on the pitch is just around the corner.