Guimarães: Barcelona Has Always Been My Favorite Team; Ronaldinho Made Me Fall in Love with Football

Ahead of Newcastle United’s home UEFA Champions League match against Barcelona, Magpies midfielder Bruno Guimarães attended a press conference.

On Barcelona

“It was those players who made me fall in love with football. I often think about Ronaldinho. Then came Messi, Neymar, Suárez, Iniesta... I can’t wait to play tomorrow’s game.”

On Tonali

“He’s absolutely brilliant, and we work really well together. It’s the same with Joelinton. We’re one of the best midfields in the Premier League, and everything goes through us.”

On Tomorrow’s Match

“I don’t know how I do it—I just want to be the best Bruno I can be for the team. All I want to do is play, and I hope that continues.”

On Yamal

“He’s one of the best players in the world, but we’re not playing against Yamal—we’re playing against a Barcelona side that has great players like Pedri and Raphinha. We’re not facing Yamal; we’re facing Barça.”

On Himself

“I try to manage my time well with the rest of the team. I have my own physiotherapist and personal trainer, and I do recovery sessions after games. Sometimes the manager asks me, and I tell him I want to play every match because a career is so short.”

On His Relationship with Newcastle

“I never thought I’d be able to go to a restaurant and not have to pay—I really enjoy all of this, honestly. I’ve always trusted my teammates; we’ve been playing together for several years now, and everything’s been absolutely fantastic.”

On Barcelona’s Interest (in Him)

“There’s never been any contact. As a kid, I always watched Barcelona’s games. In Brazil, we used to watch La Liga a lot, and Barça has always been my favorite team.”

On the Match (Again)

“Playing at home is always important. We have to play our best football because Barcelona is one of the strongest teams in the world right now.”

On Raphinha

“He’s always been an incredible player—one of the best in the world. That doesn’t surprise me at all because I’ve always really liked him.”

On Barcelona in the Eyes of Brazilian Players

“Brazilian players have become legends at this club. The player who made me fall in love with football was Ronaldinho.”

On Pedri

“I faced Pedri in the Tokyo Olympics final. There’s going to be a tough battle in midfield.”

Is Raphinha One of the World’s Best Players?

“Yamal, Dembélé, Vitinha... Yes, Raphinha is among the top four of them.”