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Bruno's getting better at English
Written by Tom Easterby
As he sets about making 2022 a year to remember, Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimarães says he's making progress off the pitch as well - his English is improving!
The 24-year-old, a standout performer for Eddie Howe's side since his January move from Lyon, is currently in Austria with the rest of the Magpies' first team at their training camp and could make his first appearance of pre-season in the friendly against 1860 Munich on Friday afternoon.
And during some down-time between sessions at United's base near Salzburg, Bruno sat down with nufc.co.uk to tell supporters about his recent efforts.
Earlier this month, the Brazilian international posted an update on Twitter, showing his marks from a recent English test and indicating he has now reached 'upper intermediate' level in his studies. This the first time he has taken on an interview in English without the aid of a translator.
"I'm better than before! I'm improving," explains the Brazilian international. "Now, in this season, I'm trying to speak more with my teammates. I'm afraid of the correction or if I make a mistake, but I try with them. I think I'm improving.
"Joelinton is helping me a lot. My teacher, too – I am doing a class almost every day. I'm improving but the problem is the language is so difficult. English is different to Portuguese. But I think I can get it.
"I have like a book, a Brazilian English book, so I understand a lot of things and it helps me a lot, it helps me. The accent – that is more difficult!
"I'm improving with the boys and I can understand almost everything. This book slowly is helping me a lot. But it is only another step. My goal is to be fluent in the language. I know it's only the beginning, but I am liking this moment."
Has his English work made it easier for him to comprehend the instructions of Howe and his coaching staff? "Yes, it has, exactly. When they are speaking, they try to speak slow and this helps me a lot," he nods. "When I arrived here, Glenn (Patterson, player liaison officer) sent me a paper with words about football on for me to try at home. This helped me, and it is fine now."
Bruno did not study English growing up, but he is no stranger to learning a language. When he moved from Athletico Paranaense to Lyon in 2020 he knew he would have to adapt to his new surroundings if he were to make his move to Ligue 1 work.
"I speak perfect French now!" he smiles. "I speak a little Spanish, a little English now, and Portuguese. It's nice. I always wanted to learn English because it's so important – I know this – but it's difficult. Step by step, I will get it.
"The English in school in Brazil… if you have money, it is easier. But when I was at school, it was so difficult, basic, you know – like 'water', 'bread', food things, but not for speaking with other people. I just started this when I signed here, and I like it."
This year has already proved a landmark one for Bruno. His move to Newcastle preceded a superb second half of the season for the Magpies and it has been a significant one for him personally, too. At the start of July, he announced his engagement to Ana Lídia Martins, who is pregnant with the couple's first child. "It's so nice. The moment is very special for me, for getting married to my wife," he says. "It's a beautiful moment. I am so happy and so proud. I hope to do my best in my professional life too."
This winter, Bruno could play in his first World Cup in Qatar. He is a regular in his national team's squad now and the looming tournament provides an added incentive for him to make the next few months count at club level. "My dreams can come true. I don't have words to speak about the World Cup because when I was a child I always dream about this moment, and it arriving. It is special.
"We have only two more games, friendly games, and after it is the World Cup. In the last years I won the Olympic Games (in 2020) and if I can win the World Cup, it can be really great and special for me. When I am sleeping, I am thinking about it!" he laughs. "It's a big goal in my career.
"At Newcastle, I am living my dreams too. To play in the Premier League, it was always my dream, and here it is so special – the fans are great with me, and all the players as well. I'm happy.
"I know the expectations for the fans for this season. We are working so hard – you are here, you can prove this! We will do our best because the club needs this and the fans need a team like this. We are here to do our best and in the season, we can speak again and I hope we can speak about these things that we spoke (about) coming true. I hope for this."