The Newcastle United captain posted on social media last night following Alexander Isak's 'broken promises' claim
Football content editor for Chronicle Live, Sunderland Live, Gazette Live, Leeds Live, Yorkshire Live and Hull Live. A North East native, he has been working in sports journalism since 1995. Stuart has worked on the Sunday Sun, Chronicle and the Journal since move from the Gateshead Post in 1999.
Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak
Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak
A picture is worth a thousand words, is how the only adage goes. Not exactly something those of us in the written media may often agree with, but in this case it's undoutedly true.
Amid all the claim and counterclaim last night as Alexander Isak broke his silence on his desire to leave Newcastle United after a summer-long transfer saga, a very different message was sent from another of the club's current icons.
It was subtle, contained no words at all, yet struck a message louder than anything Isak could have said.
Newcastle's club captain Bruno Guimaraes took to social media to post a simple image on Instagram, just after Isak released his statement on why he wanted to leave Tyneside.
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The Brazilian was pictured proudly wearing his black-and-white colours in front of the club's crest. Nothing more, nothing less.
And yet it spoke more clearly to United fans than the statement Isak had made which effectively put the final nail in his relationship with those same loyal supporters.
Bruno is no stranger to transfer speculation. Last year he was regularly linked with moves to Real Madrid, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain has rumour was rife over a move to trigger a release clause in his contract.
However he remained the focused on his job at Newcastle United, and was rewarded with the captain's armband last summer.
His pride and representing the club is clear for all to see every time he enters the pitch, while no one will ever forget that emotional pitchside interview he gave in the seconds after winning the Carabao Cup in March.
Bruno Guimaraes' Instagram post
Bruno Guimaraes' Instagram post(Image: Instagram @brunoguimaraes)
If you weren't already in tears after the scenes of celebrating at Wembley, then Bruno's choked reaction certainly tipped you over the edge.
The timing of his Instagram post last night may have been a coincidence, sure. But at a time when the Isak saga has threatened to derail Newcastle's huge ambitions for the new season, most fans have taken it as a sign that the squad - led by Bruno - are firmly on the side of the club on this one.
We may never know what the 'broken promises' Isak alluded to in his statement are. Certainly the club hit the right tone with their measured response, regardless of any perceived rights or wrongs.
The atmoshphere inside St James' Park on Monday night was always going to be electric. Now you can't help feeling it's going to step up a notch both on the pitch and on the terraces - and Newcastle fans can be sure their captain will be leading the charge.