newcastle united Midfielder Bruno Guimarães believes the four years since the 2022 World Cup have changed his career so dramatically that "it feels like ten years passed in four".
The Brazilian traveled to Qatar as a player still adapting to life on Tyneside after joining Newcastle from Lyon in January 2022.
He is in a very different position at this World Cup – as Newcastle's captain, one of the club's biggest stars and a member of Brazil's leadership group under Carlo Ancelotti.
For Guimaraes, the journey began with disappointment.
World Cup disappointment became inspiration
talking to globo esporte In Brazil, the midfielder admitted he left the 2022 tournament disappointed with his performances, especially after Brazil's defeat to Cameroon in the group stage.
"It was a learning experience for me, my first World Cup. Obviously, getting called up was the biggest achievement of my life. I took all my suffering and negative emotions and turned them into work." He said.
"I improved a lot from one World Cup to the next. I developed in many aspects of my game."
The Newcastle United man revealed that he used the disappointment as motivation in the following years.
"I was very disappointed. But I worked and turned that pain into good things and positive emotions to improve my game. I feel ready to go again."
Newcastle United rise and career peak
Asked what has changed since Qatar, Guimaraes immediately pointed to both his personal life and his achievements at Newcastle.
"A lot has changed in four years. Honestly, it feels like ten years have passed in four years."
The 28-year-old is now married and the father of two children. Professionally, he believes he has reached a completely different level.
"We changed the status of Newcastle. I became one of the club's biggest idols."
Indeed, Guimaraes has become the heartbeat of Eddie Howe's midfield and one of the team's leaders. That's why the Brazilian also feels that he is entering the strongest period of his career.
"I feel like I'm reaching the peak of a player's career, between 28 and 30."
His performance supports that view. Guimaraes described the recently concluded season as the best of his career from an offensive standpoint.
“I think it was my very best season. It was my season with the most goals and a lot of goals in the Premier League.
"I'm shooting better. The stats show it. This is the season I've had the most shots on goal."
Brazil started their World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morocco. And Guimaraes may not have scored, but he emerged with credit after setting up the equalizer and increasing his influence on Ancelotti's side.
Ancelotti's trust has changed his role
Guimaraes also revealed how Ancelotti quickly made him feel important after taking charge of Brazil.
"Since the first call-up and our first conversation, I already felt that I would be important to him."
"He made me one of the leaders of the group. It made me want even more, I want to be important."
That confidence has helped him feel more comfortable representing Brazil.
“If you compare my importance from the last World Cup to this World Cup, they are completely different levels.”
comment - comment Follow Guimaraes' previous comments Ancelotti has allowed him to play with the same freedom he enjoys at Newcastle.
Follow Casemiro's example
Another notable moment came when Guimarães discussed comments from Casemiro, who recently suggested the Newcastle player could captain Brazil in the future.
"When I first came to Brazil in 2020, I said I wanted a career like Casemiro. So to hear that from him was a huge satisfaction."
Guimaraes believes his experience as Newcastle captain has prepared him for the added responsibility at international level.
"I feel prepared. I am the captain of my club. That's an important characteristic."
That maturity, combined with his situation at Newcastle and Ancelotti's trust, explains why Guimaraes is going into this World Cup believing he is better prepared than ever.
The important thing for Newcastle United is that this does not look like any player is headed for the exit.
