Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes reveals the heartwarming reason why he wears the number 39 shirt

Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes has revealed the heartwarming reason why he wears the number 39 shirt for his club.

Guimaraes has shown his versatility in midfield for the Magpies, playing in a deeper role, as part of a midfield three and even in advanced areas.

But the Brazil international, who recently signed a new five-year deal to keep him on Tyneside until 2028, does not wear what you would describe as a 'traditional' central midfielder's shirt.

He wore the number 39 shirt during his time in his homeland with Athletico Paranaense, and kept the shirt when he moved to Lyon in 2020.

The number, therefore, has accompanied Guimaraes throughout much of his professional career - although he isn't able to wear it at international level as starting players are only permitted shirt numbers 1 to 11.

Now, speaking to BBC Sport ahead of Newcastle's home Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace, Guimaraes revealed how the shirt number is actually a homage to his father - and dates all the way back to when the midfielder was growing up in Rio de Janeiro.

His father was a taxi driver, and suggested that the Brazilian take number 39 if he was given the chance.

He explained: "When I signed with Athletico Paranaense (in 2018), I was having a chat with my father. I asked him, 'Father, which number do you think I could take?'

"He said to me, 'Bruno, if you have a opportunity, take the number 39. It's the [dispatch] number for the taxi. It gave us everything that you have, our house, everything'."

In an extraordinary twist to the story, the midfielder revealed that, without asking for it, he was actually given the number 39 by the club's kitman.

He added: "I went to the kitman - 'Why did you give me the number 39?' He said, 'If you don't want it, you can change it - no problem for me.'

"I said, 'No, it's exactly the number that I wanted.' I called my father, I told him the history, he started to cry and he said, 'I told you. I told you this number would give you luck'."

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