Joelinton
Brazilian footballer.
Joelinton Cássio Apolinário de Lira, born on August 14, 1996, in Aliança, Brazil, is a professional footballer currently playing as a central midfielder for Newcastle United in the Premier League. His career has been marked by steady progression and adaptation, from his early days in Brazil to becoming a key player in one of England's top clubs. Joelinton began his professional journey with Sport Recife in Brazil before moving to Europe with Hoffenheim in 2015. After a successful two-year loan spell at Rapid Wien, he returned to Hoffenheim, where his performances caught the eye of Newcastle United. In 2019, he became Newcastle's record signing at the time, joining for £40 million. Initially struggling as a striker, Joelinton's career took a significant turn under manager Eddie Howe, who converted him into a midfielder.
This positional change revitalized his career, transforming him into one of Newcastle's most important players. His journey from a struggling forward to a dominant midfielder showcases his versatility and determination. Joelinton's story is one of resilience, overcoming early challenges in Brazil, adapting to European football, and reinventing himself in the Premier League. His development at Newcastle has seen him become a fan favorite, known for his work rate, physical presence, and technical ability in midfield.
Early life & youth football
Joelinton's early life and youth career were rooted in the football-rich culture of Brazil. Growing up in Aliança, a small town in Pernambuco, he was immersed in football from a young age. At 14, Joelinton left home to join Sport Recife's youth academy, a significant step in his development. His time at Sport Recife was characterized by hard work and determination, as he honed his skills and adapted to the demands of professional football. Joelinton's youth career was not without challenges; he worked delivering hot dogs and pastries to support his family, showcasing his strong work ethic from an early age. A notable incident from his childhood involved a scar on his arm from falling off a truck while trying to get to a football match, highlighting his dedication to the sport even as a young boy.
Professional career
Joelinton's time with Sport Recife marked the beginning of his professional football career. He joined the club's youth academy in 2010 at the age of 14, after being the only player selected from a group of 170 children during a scouting event. This move was a significant turning point in his life, as it provided him with structured football development and professional training.During his time in Sport Recife's youth system, Joelinton lived in a dormitory with 13 other boys, an experience that helped shape his character and adaptability.
The academy not only focused on his football skills but also ensured he received a well-rounded education, balancing his athletic and academic development.Joelinton's talent quickly became evident, and he progressed through the ranks of the youth setup. In 2013, he was promoted to the senior squad, making his professional debut in March 2014 in a Copa do Nordeste match against Santa Cruz. His first career goal came on November 23, 2014, in a 2-2 draw against Fluminense in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.
Throughout the 2014 and 2015 seasons, Joelinton made a total of 12 appearances for Sport Recife's first team, scoring three goals. His performances caught the attention of European scouts, leading to his transfer to Hoffenheim in June 2015. Joelinton's time at Sport Recife was crucial in laying the foundation for his future success, providing him with the skills, experience, and exposure needed to make the leap to European football. Joelinton's time with TSG 1899 Hoffenheim began in June 2015 when he signed a five-year contract with the German club.
This move marked his first venture into European football and represented a significant step in his career development.Initially, Joelinton found it challenging to break into Hoffenheim's first team. In his debut season (2015-16), he made only one appearance for the club, coming on as a last-minute substitute in a 1-0 loss to Schalke 04 on December 18, 2015. This limited playing time highlighted the challenges of adapting to a new league and culture.
Recognizing the need for Joelinton to gain more experience and regular playing time, Hoffenheim decided to loan him out. On June 23, 2016, Joelinton joined Austrian club Rapid Wien on a two-year loan deal. This move proved to be crucial for his development.During his time at Rapid Wien, Joelinton flourished.
He made his debut on July 8, 2016, in an Austrian Cup match against FC Karabakh Wien, scoring the opening goal in a 3-1 victory. This set the tone for a successful loan spell. In the 2016-17 season, Joelinton played in all ten of Rapid's UEFA Europa League matches, scoring against Genk and Athletic Bilbao. He also contributed significantly in domestic competitions, scoring 8 goals in 33 Austrian Bundesliga games.
His second season at Rapid Wien (2017-18) saw further improvement, with Joelinton scoring 13 goals in 36 appearances across all competitions. This consistent performance over two seasons in Austria helped him develop his skills and gain valuable experience in European football.Upon returning to Hoffenheim for the 2018-19 season, Joelinton was a transformed player. He made an immediate impact, scoring a hat-trick in a 6-1 DFB-Pokal victory over Kaiserslautern in his first start for the club.
His Bundesliga breakthrough came on September 22, 2018, when he scored his first goal in the German top flight in a 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund.Joelinton's performances in the 2018-19 season were impressive. He scored 11 goals in 35 appearances across all competitions, including a crucial added-time equalizer in a 3-3 draw against Lyon in the UEFA Champions League. His ability to play as a striker or in a supporting role showcased his versatility and made him a key player for Hoffenheim.
His success at Hoffenheim attracted attention from other clubs, ultimately leading to his record-breaking transfer to Newcastle United in July 2019. The reported £40 million fee reflected the significant progress Joelinton had made during his time in Germany and Austria. Joelinton joined Newcastle United on July 23, 2019, for a club-record fee of £40 million. His debut came on August 11 in a 1-0 home loss to Arsenal, where he and teammate Miguel Almirón faced criticism from club legend Alan Shearer.
Joelinton scored his first Premier League goal on August 25 in a 1-0 victory against Tottenham. However, his form dipped afterwards, with his second goal for the club coming only in January 2020 in an FA Cup match against Rochdale. He ended a long drought by scoring his first home league goal on June 21 in a 3-0 win over Sheffield United. The season was challenging for Joelinton, as he struggled to adapt to the Premier League's demands.
He finished the 2019/20 campaign with just two goals in 38 league appearances, of which six were as a substitute. Despite the difficulties, Joelinton showed flashes of potential, particularly in his hold-up play and work rate, but his lack of goals was a significant concern for a player brought in as the club's main striker.Joelinton's second season at Newcastle United saw some improvement, but he continued to face challenges in his role as a striker. He doubled his goal tally from the previous season, scoring four goals in 31 Premier League appearances, with eight of those coming from the bench.
His performances showed signs of adaptation to English football, with improved link-up play and physical presence. Joelinton also contributed in cup competitions, scoring twice in the EFL Cup. Despite the increase in goals, expectations remained high given his transfer fee, and he still faced criticism for his overall output as a forward. The season was marked by Newcastle's struggles as a team, which put additional pressure on Joelinton to perform.
While there were improvements in his all-round game, including better hold-up play and work rate, the Brazilian still struggled to consistently find the net, leading to ongoing debates about his best position and role within the team.The 2021/22 season marked a significant turning point in Joelinton's Newcastle United career. Under new manager Eddie Howe, Joelinton was transformed from a struggling striker into a box-to-box central midfielder. This positional change revitalized his career and earned him praise from fans and pundits alike.
Joelinton's performances in midfield showcased his work rate, physical presence, and technical ability. He made 35 Premier League appearances, scoring four goals, but his contributions went far beyond goal-scoring. His ability to break up play, retain possession, and drive forward from midfield made him a key player in Newcastle's improved form under Howe. Joelinton's transformation was so impressive that he was awarded the Newcastle United Player of the Year Award for the 2021/22 season.
This campaign marked a complete turnaround in his Newcastle career, transforming him from a criticized striker to a fan favorite and integral part of the team's midfield.The 2022/23 season saw Joelinton firmly establish himself as a key player in Newcastle United's midfield. He made 32 Premier League appearances, starting 30 of those games, and scored 6 goals. This marked his most productive season in terms of goal-scoring since joining Newcastle.
Joelinton's performances were crucial in Newcastle's successful campaign, which saw them finish 4th in the Premier League and qualify for the Champions League. His versatility was on display as he effectively played in both central midfield and left midfield positions. In addition to his league performances, Joelinton played a significant role in Newcastle's run to the EFL Cup final, scoring 2 goals in 7 appearances in the competition. His transformation from a struggling striker to a dominant midfielder was complete, and he became a fan favorite at St James' Park.
The season also saw Joelinton receive his first call-up to the Brazilian national team, a testament to his improved form and consistency.Joelinton's 2023/24 season was marked by both highs and lows. He started the season strongly, continuing his excellent form from the previous campaign. In the Premier League, he made 20 appearances (15 starts and 5 as a substitute), scoring 2 goals.
Joelinton also made his Champions League debut, featuring in 4 matches and scoring 1 goal as Newcastle competed in Europe's elite competition. However, his season was cut short in January 2024 due to a thigh injury that required surgery. This injury was a significant blow to both Joelinton and Newcastle, as he was expected to be sidelined until May. Despite this setback, Joelinton's importance to the team was underlined when he signed a new long-term contract with Newcastle on April 11, 2024.
This contract extension demonstrated the club's faith in him and his long-term value to the team. When fit, Joelinton continued to be a key player in Newcastle's midfield, contributing both defensively and offensively.
National team
Joelinton's youth international career with Brazil began with the under-17 national team, where he made a notable impact. He was capped four times for the U17 side in 2012, scoring two goals. This early recognition highlighted his potential and marked the beginning of his journey in international football. Although he did not have extensive involvement with Brazil's youth teams beyond the U17 level, his performances at the club level in Brazil and Europe helped him gain attention from national selectors.
Joelinton's development in youth international football was crucial in shaping his understanding of the game and preparing him for the challenges of senior football. His early experiences with the U17 team provided valuable exposure to competitive environments, contributing to his growth as a player. While his youth international career may not have been extensive, it laid the groundwork for his eventual call-up to the senior national team, showcasing the importance of youth development in a player's journey to the top.Joelinton's senior international career with Brazil began on May 28, 2023, when he received his first call-up to the national team. He made his debut on June 17, 2023, in a friendly match against Guinea, where he scored the opening goal in a 4-1 victory. This debut was a significant milestone for Joelinton, marking his transition from club football to representing his country on the international stage.
Since then, he has continued to be a part of the national setup, earning a total of five caps and scoring once as of September 2023
Player’s style
Joelinton's style of play has evolved significantly throughout his career, particularly since his transition from striker to midfielder. As a central midfielder, he combines physical strength with technical ability, making him a formidable presence in both defensive and attacking phases. His work rate is exceptional, covering large areas of the pitch and contributing in multiple aspects of the game. Joelinton excels in ball retention, using his body effectively to shield the ball and maintain possession under pressure.
His passing range has improved considerably, allowing him to distribute the ball efficiently and contribute to his team's build-up play. Defensively, he's adept at breaking up opposition attacks with well-timed tackles and interceptions. Offensively, he can drive forward with the ball, creating opportunities for teammates or taking shots himself. His aerial ability, honed during his time as a striker, remains an asset in both boxes.