Guimaraes is a seasoned professional at the top of his game. Brazil international, Carabao Cup winner, Premier League regular. So, it says something about the allure of the opposition that will grace St James’ Park this evening that even he was speaking with a wide-eyed excitement when the prospect of facing Barcelona was raised at yesterday’s press conference.
“I’m very excited,” said Guimaraes, who was a key part of the Newcastle side that downed Paris St Germain on Tyneside two seasons ago. “I've never faced Barcelona before, but it’s one of the teams that I watched a lot when I was young.
“The player that made me fall in love with football was Ronaldinho, so I always watched Barcelona play, and after (Andres) Iniesta, Xavi, (Lionel) Messi, and it's nice to see another Brazilian sign there again, Raphinha, so we’re very excited. I can’t wait for tomorrow to play this game.”
If Ronaldinho was Barcelona’s figurehead throughout the early 2000s, Guimaraes has become every bit as important to the present-day Newcastle United.
On the pitch, the midfielder epitomises the aggressive, high-intensity, high-pressing style that has earned the club so much success under Eddie Howe. Off it, Guimaraes has embraced life on Tyneside, donning the captain’s armband with pride, relishing his role as the skipper of the team and the leader of the city.
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Whether leading the singsong on the Town Moor after last season’s Carabao Cup success or cavorting on the pitch at St James’ after a home win, Guimaraes gets what the Newcastle supporters want from a player representing their team. When some footballers talk about loyalty and pride, their words ring hollow. Not Guimaraes. He loves Newcastle, and Newcastle loves him.
“I think things are a bit different for me now,” he smiled. “I’ve never really had it where I can go to a restaurant and not have to pay the bill! I’m enjoying it.
“To be honest, I never really thought all of this would happen when I first signed for the club. I am always very thankful for my job and my team-mates, but things have been very, very good. Better than I thought.
“I’m just really enjoying it, and whenever I pull the shirt on, I try to play like a Geordie, doing everything I can to help the club and the city. We have been together for three-and-a-half years now. Everything has been amazing for the club, and hopefully that can continue.”
Guimaraes’ leadership qualities were needed this summer as Newcastle’s squad attempted to pick their way through the Alexaner Isak saga that cast a shadow over the start of the season.
When Isak dropped his bombshell statement on Instagram, accusing Newcastle of reneging on promises he claimed were made to him, Guimaraes responded immediately with a picture that could hardly have been a clearer attempt to stress his own affiliation to the black-and-white cause. So, now that the dust is beginning to settle, how does the 27-year-old feel about his former team-mate?
“I think football is business,” said Guimaraes. “I think the club made a choice. He’s [Isak] gone and I wish him all the best.
“I am grateful for everything we achieved together. But this is not the time to look at the past, it's time to look forward to the future at Newcastle. We have the Barca game, and we are looking forward to it.”
When Guimaraes sat in the St James’ Park media suite in the week after signing for Newcastle, he confidently stated that the club would play in the Champions League. His words felt wildly optimistic at the time, given that the Magpies were sitting in the relegation zone, but they have proved to be prophetic.
This will be Guimaraes’ second Champions League campaign as a Newcastle, so given how high he was willing to set him ambitions three-and-a-half years ago, what are his aims now?
“We don’t want to put a limit on our dreams,” he said. “We’re excited and we hope we can go as far as possible. Everyone is very excited for the game. Since we beat Wolves, we were focused straight away on Barcelona. I think everyone is in a good place. We’re fit enough and ready to deliver a very good performance.”