- Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes addresses injury
- Midfielder replaced by Anthony Elanga against Fulham
- Brazil begin World Cup campaign next month
Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes appeared to be taken off with an injury in the 2-0 defeat to Fulham, in potentially worrying scenes ahead of the World Cup this summer.
The Brazil international didn’t quite look himself as the Magpies fell to yet another Premier League defeat on the final day of the campaign.
Eddie Howe saw his side turn in what has become a trademark underwhelming showing at Craven Cottage and even Guimaraes was guilty of letting his standards drop.
Bruno Guimaraes on injury worries after Fulham sub
So often the energy setter for Newcastle, it was a flat-footed Guimaraes who allowed Issa Diop a free run on goal to head home the host’s opener after a brilliant free-kick from Kevin.
The midfielder did show moments of quality but eventually hit the turf after 66 minutes and looked to have given up on salvaging anything from the match. Guimaraes could be seen feeling his legs as he held communications with the physio.
The player was then replaced by Anthony Elanga and watched his side go 2-0 down through a great Tom Cairney strike from the bench. Guimaraes has now taken to social media to provide clarity over his substitution.
He said: “I had a fever for two days during the week, and during today’s match I felt cramps in both calves! Nothing to worry about. Time to rest and recover so I can be 100% again.”
Brazil take on Scotland in World Cup Group C
That news will come as a relief for Carlo Ancelotti and Brazil fans. Guimaraes had missed a key run of fixtures this season for the Magpies due to a hamstring injury and there may have been fears the problem returned.
Guimaraes missed the last 16 legs of the Champions League against Barcelona, as well as the defeat to Sunderland at St James’ Park and the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City.
Brazil face Panama and Egypt in friendly matches next week before beginning the World Cup in Group C. The nation will go up against Morocco, Haiti and Scotland in the group stages.
The Newcastle United star also reflected on the season as a whole following the defeat to Fulham. In an Instagram post, he wrote: “Very frustrating season, and without a doubt we are all very disappointed. You fans definitely did not deserve this. But football doesn’t always go the way we plan.
“Individually, I managed to have the season with the most goal contributions in my career, and I would trade all of that for a better position in the table. Honestly, I just want to thank the fans for everything. Thank you @nufc.”
In other news, Newcastle United should leave £20m-rated midfielder at Fulham after ‘pitiful’ display.
