Newcastle United star told major news ahead of Chelsea game

The news was confirmed on Sunday afternoon as the Magpies midfielder joins United team-mate Bruno Guimaraes in a Selecao squad that will face Guinea in Barcelona on Saturday, June 17, before heading on to face Senegal in Lisbon three days later.

Joelinton’s time on Tyneside has been far from straightforward after he struggled to make an impact under former Magpies manager Steve Bruce - but the arrival of Eddie Howe in November 2021 and an unexpected conversion into an all-action midfielder has made him a firm favourite at St James Park. After helping Howe’s men secure their Premier League status last season, Joelinton had taken his game up a level during the current campaign with eight goals and three assists in 40 appearances in all competitions.

The former Hoffenheim star’s early-season form had led to suggestions he could make a late push to join Magpies teammate Bruno Guimaraes in Brazil’s squad for the World Cup Finals in November. Joelinton’s name was absent from the 26-man squad that boarded the plane to Qatar - but he was given some hope of securing a first call-up by interim manager Ruben Menezes when he was name-checked by the interim boss in March.

He said:“Joelinton is a great player and can fit in as a defensive midfielder (or) midfielder. He is a strong player, who we are watching and who can wear the shirt of the national team at any time.”

The former United record signing has remained on Menezes’ radar throughout the remainder of the Premier League season and has now been named in the Selecao squad for the first time, just two weeks after helped the Magpies secure a place in the Champions League.

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