‘I hope – Joelinton set for Newcastle United exit months after signing £150k/week deal

Newcastle United star Joelinton, who began his football journey at Sport Recife, has expressed his desire to return to Brazil before retiring from professional football.

The 28-year-old midfielder left Brazil as a teenager to pursue a career in Europe, joining Bundesliga side Hoffenheim in 2015. His performances for Brazil’s under-17 team and Sport Recife had already caught the attention of European scouts, leading to his move abroad.

During his time at Hoffenheim, Joelinton developed his skills as a support striker, with a two-year loan spell at Rapid Wien helping to further his growth.

It was his eight-goal season in 2018-19, coupled with impressive performances in the Champions League, that pushed Newcastle United to sign him for a then-club record fee of £40 million. Joelinton was brought in to fill the attacking gap left by Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez, but his early days in the Premier League were challenging.

The pressure of the hefty price tag and the expectations placed on him as a striker took a toll, and he struggled to meet the demands in front of goal.

However, Joelinton’s fortunes began to change after Eddie Howe took over as Newcastle’s manager in November 2021. Howe recognized the Brazilian’s potential beyond his role as a striker and transformed him into a dominant midfield presence.

This shift revitalized Joelinton’s career at Newcastle, where he has since flourished. His ability to adapt to a new role, combined with his work rate and physicality, earned him a contract extension earlier this year, securing his place among the club’s top earners.

This deal will keep him at St. James’ Park until he is 32, but Joelinton is already looking ahead to the next chapter of his career.

In an interview with UOL, Joelinton revealed his plans to return to Brazil once his time in Europe comes to an end. He expressed a deep connection to his roots and a desire to finish his playing career where it all began.

“God willing, one day I hope to return and end my career at Sport, the club where I started,” Joelinton said, underscoring his affection for his boyhood club.

But Joelinton’s aspirations don’t stop there. He also has dreams of playing for other prominent Brazilian clubs before retiring. “I want to play for other clubs in Brazil,” he added. “Sao Paulo was a club I followed, and it’s a very big club in our football. I also like Palmeiras a lot; I have a friend who is a Palmeiras fan, and he says I’m going to play there. They’re two clubs that I really admire. Maybe one day I’ll be able to play for one of them.”

Joelinton’s journey from a young talent at Sport Recife to a key figure in Newcastle’s resurgence is a testament to his perseverance and adaptability. Despite the initial struggles he faced after his move to England, he has emerged as a fan favorite and an essential part of Eddie Howe’s squad.

With a bright future still ahead of him in the Premier League, Joelinton’s plans to return to Brazil in the future show his deep connection to his homeland and his ambition to leave a lasting legacy in Brazilian football.

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