Bruno Guimaraes’ life has always revolved around football.
He was just a young boy in Brazil, growing up with the game all around him, dreaming of copying the heroes he saw on television. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Bruno’s early years were shaped by futsal, family sacrifice and a stubborn belief that football could take him somewhere bigger.
Today, he is one of the faces of Newcastle’s modern era. Since arriving from Lyon in January 2022, Bruno has become a hero in Tyneside, not just for his quality in midfield but for the way he carries himself every time he puts on the black-and-white shirt. He has spoken openly about wanting to become a Newcastle legend, and after being made captain, that bond with supporters has only grown stronger
Bruno is not the only Magpie in his family, with his mother, Marcia Moura, being pictured wearing a Newcastle jersey in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup. A thousand miles from Brazil and England, yet wearing the colours of the club that has embraced her son with pride.
Mothers often play a quiet but powerful role in a footballer’s journey. They are there before the contracts, stadiums and headlines, offering support during the moments when the dream still feels fragile. For Bruno, Marcia was that figure.
Marcia’s influence on Bruno began long before the biggest stages of his career. She was there through the setbacks, the lonely academy days and the long journeys that kept his dream alive. She helped keep his belief alive when the path looked uncertain.
Her influence is seen shining in his leadership and attitude, keeping his team’s belief alive when times are tough.
That kind of influence does not disappear once a player reaches the top. It often shows in their character, discipline and the way they treat others. Bruno’s warmth with Newcastle supporters, especially young fans, feels connected to the values he grew up with; gratitude, loyalty and remembering the people who helped him along the way.
That connection is not always shown through grand gestures. Sometimes, it comes through smaller, warmer moments, the kind that reveal Bruno’s personality away from the intensity of matchdays. One recent image summed that up perfectly.
Bruno was pictured with a young kid in what looked to be Newcastle training. Both appeared to be in Newcastle training kits, with Bruno pointing to the kid’s haircut, inspired by the Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazario.
The young Magpie caught Bruno’s attention due to his haircut, which, as Bruno revealed, was something he wanted to do as a kid.
Football has always had a habit of turning hairstyles into part of a player’s identity. David Beckham’s mohawk, Roberto Baggio’s ponytail, Carlos Valderrama’s blonde afro and Pogba and Neymar’s ever-changing colours all became as memorable as some of their moments on the pitch.
Ronaldo Nazario’s 2002 haircut belongs in that same category, but it stands out because of how unusual it was. The tiny triangle of hair at the front looked almost ridiculous at first, yet it became legendary because Ronaldo wore it while leading Brazil to World Cup glory. Like the best football hairstyles, it was not just a look, it became a symbol of a moment, a player and an entire generation of fans trying to copy their hero.
At first glance, it almost looked comical, but once Ronaldo started scoring and Brazil moved closer to the trophy, the haircut became part of the tournament’s mythology. Children across Brazil and beyond rushed to copy it, because it was no longer just a haircut, it was Ronaldo’s haircut, worn by the man carrying the Selecao back to the top of world football.
For Bruno, that feeling was personal. Growing up in Brazil, Ronaldo was not just another superstar; he was the face of a national triumph that every young fan wanted to be part of in some way. Copying the haircut would have been a child’s tribute to his hero, a small way of carrying that ‘World Cup magic’ into his own life.
But Marcia had the final say. Bruno joked in his Instagram story that his mother would not let him get the famous trim, turning what was once a childhood disappointment into a funny family memory – “@ronaldo influences everyone in this world *crown emoji* I wish my mom would let me do it when I was a kid *laughing crying emoji*”.
Years later, seeing a young Newcastle fan with that same haircut brought the story full circle, from Bruno once wanting to imitate Ronaldo, to now being the player whose reaction creates a moment for the next generation
He once dreamed of representing Brazil in the World Cup, hopefully returning home only after lifting the trophy. With the midfielder now in his prime, he has a chance to live his dream in the 2026 World Cup.
REFERENCES:
⚽️ BRUNO GUIMARÃES (@brunoguimaraes) • Instagram photos and videos. (n.d.). Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/DNy1Ioe0Kle/
Bruno Guimarães – Player profile 25/26. (n.d.). Transfermarkt. https://www.transfermarkt.co.in/bruno-guimaraes/profil/spieler/520624
Fisher, S. (2025, March 17). Bruno Guimaraes keeps promise to Newcastle United fan as photo reveals heartwarming gesture. Geordie Boot Boys. https://www.geordiebootboys.com/news/bruno-guimaraes-keeps-promise-to-newcastle-united-fan-as-photo-reveals-heartwarming-gesture/
Waugh, C., & Waugh, C. (2026, May 8). Bruno Guimaraes is Newcastle’s talisman. These numbers show how irreplaceable he’s become. The Athletic. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7257382/2026/05/08/bruno-guimaraes-is-newcastles-talisman-these-numbers-show-how-irreplaceable-hes-become/
Wikipedia contributors. (2026, May 5). Bruno Guimarães. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruno_Guimar%C3%A3es
Yim, F. (n.d.). Meet Márcia Moura: The Mother of Newcastle’s Midfield Maestro Bruno Guimarães. https://www.bbntimes.com/society/meet-marcia-moura-the-mother-of-newcastle-s-midfield-maestro-bruno-guimaraes
