"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do."
That famous quote from Brazilian football icon Pele epitomises his compatriot’s Newcastle United story so far. Arriving as a £40million record signing in 2019, Joelinton was given the unforgiving task of filling the goalscoring void left by Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez.
Asking a young player to lead the line - an unfamiliar position - while adapting to a new country and league, placed a burden on the prospect. The number nine shirt weighed heavily on Joelinton's shoulders, causing his confidence - and form - to plummet.
