Newcastle United star drops hilarious social media post - people say he's more beast than bunny

People say he’s more BEAST, but it was bunny this weekend for Newcastle United Carabao Cup hero Joelinton.

Away from the pitch, where the Brazilian was influential in the Magpies driving towards the Champions League and ending a 70-year domestic trophy drought, Joelinton is a real family man - and you only have to take a quick look at his Instagram, or that of his wife, Thays Gondim, to realise that. And in the hours and days before the disappointment at Villa Park, Joelinton shared a host of snaps with his three children and wife, enjoying the Easter weekend fun.

The pic of the bunch has to be this remarkable shot of him wearing a pair of bunny ears, which appear to be homemade, possible crafted by himself, his wife or with the help of his two sons and daughter. It definitely shows a lighter side to his character, with many describing him as the least likeable midfielder in the Premier League, due in no small part to his hyper-competitive, super physical approach when he crosses the white line.

Joelinton has been a key figure in the Magpies’ rise this season, and was sorely missed when he was absent due to injury earlier in the campaign. The Brazil international put in a man-of-the-match performance at Wembley as Newcastle beat Liverpool 2-1 to be crowned Carabao Cup champions for the first time in the club’s history. He has since struck a remarkable balance with teammates Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali in the United engine room, adding the beef to the other pair’s finesse.

Newcastle United Champions League: Will the Magpies make it?

However, he was largely helpless on Saturday as the Magpies suffered their first defeat in the Premier League since a 2-0 loss at Liverpool in February. A rampant Aston Villa smashed four past Newcastle at Villa Park, a result which saw them close the gap on United in the race to make the top five.

For the first time, due to English team’s collective coefficient performance in this season’s competition, the Premier League has been handed five automatic slots to next season’s competition. At present, the Magpies are in the driving seat to get back into a competition they dipped out of altogether last season, having previously got back into in 2023/24 after more than two decades in the wilderness.

With five games to go, three of which are at home, Newcastle sit third in the table. They face Ipswich Town at St James’ Park next Saturday, knowing three points would take them one step closer against the team destined to return to the Championship after just one campaign back with the big boys.

Newcastle United Champions League: Who are the Magpies’ rivals?

At present, it appears as if five teams are realistically in the race to take three of the five slots. Liverpool have won the Premier League title in all but name, while Arsenal are cruising to second position. Behind that the Magpies, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest are separated by just two points. Chelsea are also in the race, while Fulham and Bournemouth are a little further back and although not mathematically out of it, would need a remarkable end to the campaign to even threaten the race.