Bruno Guimaraes is now a Newcastle United legend.
He has captained the Magpies to glory, with Newcastle United winning the Carabao Cup on Sunday.
Bruno Guimaraes lifted the trophy alongside Kieran Trippier and Jamaal Lascelles, as this team became immortal on Tyneside.
They did what Wor Flags asked of them and wrote their names in the history books, becoming the first Newcastle United team to win a domestic trophy since 1955.
But the hard work does not stop for Bruno Guimaraes, who is now on international duty with Brazil. That represents its own challenges, but it is also slightly easier for the 27-year-old in one respect.
Bruno Guimaraes compares playing for Brazil to playing for Newcastle United
During a press conference for the Brazil national team, Bruno admitted that he is able to express himself better when playing for the Selecao than when he plays for Newcastle United because of the language.
“Here we can express ourselves better, because it’s our first language,” he told UOL.
“In England it’s different, a new role. Here I feel more at ease.
“I’ve always done that [played with emotion] and I hope to bring what I do at the club here to the national team.”
How Bruno Guimaraes became captain
It is a testament to Bruno that he can lead Newcastle United so effectively despite English not being his first language.
During his three years on Tyneside, Bruno has an encapsulated what makes Newcastle United so special. He has bought into the club and the fanbase, and there was a real outpouring of emotion after the Magpies’ win at Wembley.
This is Bruno’s first season as Newcastle United captain, and the midfielder recently explained how Eddie Howe ended up giving him the armband.
“We [Bruno and Howe] had a good conversation,” he told the Adopted Geordies podcast.
“I told him I wanted to have more responsibility with the team. Some days after he came to me and said ‘I’m thinking about making you the captain, what do you think?’
“I was open to the idea. Two days before Southampton at home he came to me and said ‘Bruno, I’m going to make you captain for the season. I’m choosing you because since you came, you have given everything for the club.’
“I was very pleased with his choice, it was a good conversation I had with him. A very good relationship with me. He’s my manager but also a friend of mine.”
Bruno wanted more responsibility, and Howe gave him exactly that.
While the opening couple of months were difficult and Bruno still struggles with the coin toss at St James’ Park, he really has emerged as a huge leader.
He leads by example with his performance. He did that against West Ham where he netted the winner, and he did it in the Carabao Cup final.
Bruno was part of a midfield that won Newcastle United the game against Liverpool, and it will hopefully not be the last trophy that he lifts as Toon captain.
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