Why does Bruno Guimaraes wear the 39 shirt?

Bruno Guimaraes had several members of Europe’s elite grovelling at his feet in January 2022 before he opted to take a plunge with the upstarts on Tyneside.

Newcastle’s recruitment following the Saudi-backed takeover has been bang on the money, and there hasn’t been a more significant signing amid their meteoric rise than the 25-year-old Brazilian.

While Guimaraes’ brilliance was hardly revelatory given his stellar form at Lyon, the midfielder has nonetheless proved to be a transformative addition to Eddie Howe’s Magpies. Newcastle simply aren’t the same without him, with the former Athletico Paranaense star helping guide the Toon back into the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.

A remarkably stylish performer on the pitch, it’s hard not to admire Guimaraes, who continuously reminds himself of his humble beginnings with the number he wears on the back of his shirt.

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While Guimaraes briefly wore the #8 and #7 shirts at Lyon, the Brazilian midfielder has almost always worn #39 on his back throughout his club career which started at Athletico Paranaense.

Unlike many wearers of unique numbers nowadays, #39 wasn’t merely the number Guimaraes was given when he broke into the first team at Athletico.

Instead, Guimaraes wears the shirt as an ode to his father – a taxi driver back in his homeland (although he might not be anymore!).

“I know people think it’s a weird number for a footballer. But for me, 39 is special — no, it’s more than that. It’s magical. The number 39 gave me everything in life. It got me here to Newcastle. It fed me, clothed me, and paid for three-hour bus rides to pursue my dream.

“#039 was the dispatch number of my father’s taxi in Rio de Janeiro,” the midfielder revealed.