Bruno Guimaraes has described Brazil's World Cup exit to Norway as the 'saddest day' of his life in an emotional message to his country's supporters. The Newcastle United captain missed a penalty in the first half of the 2-1 defeat in New York on Sunday, with Erling Haaland scoring twice for Norway before Neymar Jr's late consolation from the spot.
Guimaraes opens up on penalty miss and heartbreak
Guimaraes saw his spot-kick saved by Orjan Nyland, leaving Brazil trailing and ultimately eliminated in the round of 16. The 28-year-old took to social media to express his pain, writing: 'I've written and deleted so many times I've lost count. I have always been present here in victories, nothing fairer than introducing myself and not running away from talking to you in defeat.'
'Football, which gave me everything I have, is being responsible for making me feel the worst pain of my 28 years of life. Losing the penalty and being eliminated in the round of 16 is hard, it is suffered, it hurts a lot, but it will be another obstacle to overcome.'
Family support and determination to return stronger
Guimaraes described the defeat as the 'saddest day' of his life, but found solace in his children's innocence. 'The craziest part of all this was coming home from the saddest day of my life and the first thing my kids said when I woke up was: 'Daddy, let's play ball?'' he said. 'And here I understood that regardless of bad or good days, football will always be my great love.'
'I take responsibility, as I always did, and it's not now that it would be any different. So sad how it ended, but sure God knows all. I have given you glory in victory and I will give you glory in defeat. Thank you Jesus for the opportunity. The dream is not over. He is still alive in my heart and in the hearts of thousands of others who love our country.'
Newcastle United face transfer fight for captain
Guimaraes will now have around three weeks off before returning to Newcastle for pre-season training ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. While there has been much talk about his future amid interest from Premier League champions Arsenal, Newcastle remain adamant the 28-year-old is not for sale. As such, the former Lyon man is hoped to be back in the Newcastle fold ahead of their trip to Bristol City but certainly in time for the squad's training camp in La Manga.
