Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
Jeremy Armstrong & David Huntley

'My son is a Geordie' - Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes says son could play for England

Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes has admitted his son could play for England, saying: "He really is a Geordie".

The popular midfielder has said his 19-month-old son Matteo was born a Geordie and insists he could one day don an England shirt - rather than Brazil - when older.

The 25-year-old Brazilian is getting married to partner Ana Lidia Martins in Rio on June 10 and flew home on Monday to get ready for his big day following a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in their final Premier League match of the season.

Read more: Newcastle notes: Chelsea lap of appreciation halted by Toon party but Mauricio Pochettino has eye on United status

Speaking to the MirrorOnline, he said: "Then I may be off to play for Brazil. It is such a special time for me right now. It is just unbelievable. I am very lucky."

The star has become a hero at St James' Park and is stopped everywhere he goes on Tyneside, where he has settled with his family including his parents Marcia and Dick. "Sometimes I feel like the mayor of Newcastle,” he joked.

"When I am out with my parents, fans always want to talk to me and I feel like I am a Geordie too now. My son was born in Newcastle so he really is a Geordie! I am not sure if he will play for England, you have to be here for five years for that to happen.

"It will be his choice. I think that he will love the city and the people who live here, my wife and I will leave it to him. I am just so happy to become a father.” Their fairytale wedding will take place with 300 guests. The couple became man and wife ahead of the ceremony ‘on paper’ but wanted to share their big day with family and friends.

It takes place in Rio, where Bruno was born and brought up, and he described it as ‘the best city in the world'. "My wife has planned most of the wedding, but I have helped too," he said. "We still don't have our first song but we have chosen the decorations and everything. Most of the music will be Brazilian."

His Toon team-mate and close friend, Joelinton, is set to be his best man. Bruno added: "He is like a brother to me. When I first arrived, he translated everything into English for me and brought me to Rio, the Brazilian restaurant in Newcastle.

"I can speak Portuguese with the staff and really feel at home. It means you can relax. There may be no honeymoon for the star due to international duty with Brazil, who are without a manager after Tite left the job following the Qatar World Cup.

Bruno is already looking forward to the first Champions League matches in more than 20 years at St James' Park and is hoping there will be more Brazilians heading to Toon soon. "I can't imagine what the atmosphere will be like in the Champions League, I would love Real Madrid or Barcelona," he said.

"Hopefully we will get more Brazilians. I would like to see more players from Brazil at the club. For me and Joelinton that would be good, but of course it is not my job to bring them here!"

Bruno presented a dream prize to lucky Toon fans Joanne and Graham Cook, of Lobley Hill, Gateshead, after they won a signed Toon top and VIP trip in a £240,000 Flying Spur Bentley. The draw raised £10,000 for the Great North Children's Hospital.

It was organised by Rodrigo Grassi, co-owner of the Rio restaurant who also laid on a meal for the couple who were celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary. Joanne, 50, joked: "I have never won anything in my life and now this! It has been such a lovely surprise."

Read next:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.