At one point it looked as though Joelinton would go down as one of the worst pound-for-pound signings in Newcastle United history. Weighed down by his hefty, undoubtedly inflated price tag and playing in a position he never really looked comfortable, the Brazilian had to endure some tough times following his Premier League arrival.
Much has been made of Joelinton's transformation from a frustrating forward to a midfield monster but Eddie Howe's intricate work on the touchline has arguably led to the best 12 months of the player's career. Looking much more at home as a brutal enforcer than a 15-goal a season striker, the 25-year-old celebrated earning a maiden Brazil call-up over the weekend, capping off a phenomenal campaign.
There were lingering, minor hopes that Joelinton had done enough to earn a spot alongside Bruno Guimaraes as Tite announced his Brazil squad for the 2022 World Cup. However, it wasn't to be. “There’s always an element of disappointment for anyone that misses out,” Howe said back in November.
“I think Joe has been incredible for me since I joined the football club. Every single day he’s very consistent in his work and has produced some brilliant performances. It wasn’t to be for him.”
But as Joelinton's performances continue to generate headlines and Tite's role in the national side came to an end, there was hope for the Newcastle fan-favourite. “Joelinton is a great player and can fit in as a defensive midfielder (or) midfielder," interim boss Ramon Menezes said in March. "He is a strong player, who we are watching and who can wear the shirt of the national team at any time.”
The news Joelinton, his friends, family and Bruno had all been waiting for came just moments before Newcastle ended their season at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The Magpies midfielder will be in contention to feature for Brazil against Guinea and Senegal in June.
“I wanted to go to the beach and my wife told me to wait. I thought: if I get the news, I’ll be there. If I don’t receive it, I’ll be sad, but at least I’ll enjoy the beach," Joelinton told Brazilian outlet Globe Esporte.
“When he said my name, I just cried. It’s a feeling of pride, of seeing that this effort is being seen. A film goes through your head, of everything I’ve ever lived.
"Every effort, dedication and every fight was worth it. Proud of everything I’ve been through, how I’ve grown and learned. Leaving Aliança, being able to arrive in Europe and now at the Brazilian national team, it’s a moment you dream of, but you don’t know it’ll come true.”
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