Newcastle United star Joelinton has shared his true frustration after picking up a knee injury which forced him to miss the end of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
There is no doubt that Joelinton was one of Eddie Howe’s most valuable players on Tyneside last season. The Brazilian’s attitude, strength and willingness to get better are recognised by many in and out of Newcastle United.
Joelinton was an integral part of Newcastle’s historic Carabao Cup win in March, keeping Liverpool’s talented midfield at bay to help secure the Magpies’ first trophy in 56 years.
However, things derailed for Joelinton towards the end of the season. It was clear he was struggling with a knee injury, the area was heavily taped up during games. Joelinton played on but was eventually pulled from the starting XI to recover. The decision meant he missed the rest of the season, but it was the right thing to do for the good of his career.
With the midfielder now back in training and taking part in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Darsley Park, he has shared how he was truly feeling about his injury.
Joelinton watching on during Newcastle United pre-season training.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Joelinton was frustrated with his knee injury at Newcastle United
The 28-year-old appears to be very determined to make up for lost time at Newcastle. In June, Joelinton was seen training with a team in Brazil, something he does every year.
He returned to pre-season training last week after missing out on selection for the Brazil national team due to his injury. It looks as if he has fully recovered after he played 45 minutes in a secret friendly against Carlisle United on Saturday, scoring in the second half to make it 2-0.
Joelinton was not a part of the side which confirmed Champions League football, but he had done enough in the weeks prior to ensure the job was already done, even if the Magpies lost their final two games of the season.
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Speaking to Newcastle’s official website about his injury, Joelinton said: “I’ve had a long time to recover. The start of it was very difficult as, personally, I was very frustrated about the injury at the end of the season.
“There was a lot of important games and I could have been with the team. I was very sad but I knew I had to step out and recover because of my knee as I couldn’t help the team in the way I wanted. It was the best decision and I had enough time to recover and come back, starting with the guys in pre-season.
“My knee is good, I feel fully fit and happy. Injuries are not what you want but they can happen in football sometimes and you just have to deal with them and do everything you can to be fit. I now hope to have a season without injuries.”
Joelinton opens up on group dynamics at Newcastle United
The Magpies are known to have a very good core group of players who all get on. There have been very few bad apples in Howe’s team since he arrived in 2021, and the few who were have been moved on already.
Newcastle’s family feel was very evident after Anthony Elanga was announced. The 23-year-old posted a message to the Geordies on Instagram upon signing, Joelinton and William Osula responded alongside several other Newcastle players.
Elanga will be a big part of Newcastle’s first-team squad next season. He will likely overtake Jacob Murphy in the pecking order at right wing soon after signing and keep his place in the starting XI.
Talking about Newcastle’s squad harmony, Joelinton said: “I’m happy to be back with the lads and enjoy being back at work for, hopefully, a great season ahead. It’s great to see everyone again; my teammates, the coaching staff and physios.
“We have a really good group here. I feel like it’s a family as we are friends and it’s very good to be with them again. There’s a few of the players back but we will all be together next week and making sure we work hard every day to get ready for the first (Premier League) game of the season.”