Bruno Guimarães and his Newcastle teammates prepared for the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool by drawing inspiration from club legends. One of those was former midfielder Rob Lee, the last Newcastle player to score at Wembley. In a lighthearted moment, Guimarães touched Lee’s feet for good luck, even though the goal in question was scored with Lee’s head in 2000 during an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
Newcastle’s last domestic trophy triumph dates back to 1955 when Jackie Milburn scored in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City. The weight of history is not lost on Guimarães, who sees the clash with Liverpool as his team’s “World Cup final.” Determined to make thousands of Newcastle supporters proud, he hopes to end the club’s 70-year wait for silverware.
Two years ago, Newcastle faced Manchester United in the same competition but failed to rise to the occasion, suffering a 2-0 defeat. Guimarães believes this time will be different. With a new look having abandoned the bleached blond hair he sported in the 2023 final he jokes that his luck may improve.
As Newcastle’s captain, his infectious energy and confidence have become central to the team’s morale. Despite Liverpool’s dominance and Mohamed Salah’s impressive record against teams managed by Eddie Howe, Guimarães remains undaunted. He views the final as an opportunity rather than a source of pressure. “At our best, we’re a really great team. We’re not seeing Sunday as pressure; we’re seeing it as a privilege,” he said.
Guimarães arrived at Newcastle from Lyon in January 2022, a move that surprised many as Arsenal had been considered his likely destination. At the time, an interpreter helped him articulate his excitement about joining Newcastle, where he was sold on a long-term vision that included ambitions of winning the Champions League. For now, though, any trophy would be a significant milestone.
“We know if we win this one, it’s going to be massive for the city and for the project,” he stated. “The most difficult step is always the first one.”
He recalled his disappointment in the 2023 final, admitting that Newcastle was “really average” against Manchester United. Now, with a more settled team and his own development as a player, he believes they are in a stronger position. His transition to a No. 8 role, with Sandro Tonali playing as a deep-lying midfielder, has allowed him to contribute more offensively. His partnership with Sweden’s Alexander Isak has been particularly fruitful, with the striker scoring 22 goals this season.
Isak praised Guimarães’s leadership and impact, crediting him as the heartbeat of the team. “Bruno was always amazing, but he’s taken further steps forward as a player and a leader,” he said. “The games he controls, we usually win. As a captain, his passion for this club and for football is contagious. It gives us all energy.”
Like Salah, Guimarães believes in the power of visualization. He has repeatedly imagined himself walking up the Wembley steps to collect the trophy. This mental preparation fuels his determination to ensure Newcastle’s story has a different ending this time.
“I’ve visualized lifting the trophy many times,” he said with a smile. “I’m always emotional, but I want to be happy at the end. We want everything to be amazing this time.”
