Bruno and Joelinton followed in my Newcastle United footsteps and can win Champions League place

Mirandinha is proud of the legacy he left behind at both Newcastle United and in English football after he became the first Brazilian to play in the top-flight.

The former No 9 was United's first Samba star with players such as Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes becoming major players on Tyneside and following in his footsteps. The other Brazilians to play for Newcastle are Cacapa, Fumaca and Kenedy but Mirandinha also paved the way in English football for fellow countryman such as Juninho, Firmino, Willian and Fernandinho to name just a few.

However, Mirandinha would love to see Joelinton and Bruno go one step further at St James' Park and win something. Giving his verdict on the duo's progress, Mirandinha told Chronicle Live: "When Joelinton first came here he gave his best. But he needed to be in the right position. Eddie Howe found his best position in the team. Since then he has played very well for Newcastle.

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"Bruno Guimaraes had a brilliant season last year so good that both Bruno and Joelinton were selected for the Brazil national team. In the current squad it's just Bruno now but I think Joelinton will still get an opportunity to play for Brazil again. I follow them both and support them.

"I watch Newcastle's games all the time still and keep an eye on the performances of the Brazilians. I hope that they continue like this and Newcastle can get full advantage from those two players."

Mirandinha watched on in Newcastle's city centre as Joelinton scored a wonderful goal against Nottingham Forest at the weekend to propel the team to eighth in the Premier League after a magnificent 3-1 away win. But how far does the ex-number 9 believe Newcastle can go?

Mirandinha said: "I think Newcastle have a team that can fight for the top positions in the Premier League. They have top players and the group is very, very strong. It's very different from the years before and I hope this season Newcastle can fight for the title and take the position of Champions League next season. This is what I feel and think about Newcastle."

After a global managerial career, Mirandinha now spends time at his son's Academy helping bring through the next generation of talent but his flying visit to Newcastle this week was to spread an important message as he looks to end polio around the world.

Reflecting on his life today, the 65-year-old said: "I still work in football. I had seven seasons in Saudi Arabia and I worked for many clubs in Brazil. I have worked in Malaysia, Japan and Sudan.

"I have worked with FIFA too and now I work with my son at my Academy, Academia de Futebol Internacional Mirandinha. We work with 60 young kids and prepare them for life at clubs.

"I will never be out of football. My life is football. Now I have the new mission with the Rotary International club to end polio. My friend Humberto Silva gave me this opportunity and I will be able to concentrate on this and be successful."

But the legendary forward returned to Tyneside this week with a new goal: to help eradicate polio worldwide. Mirandinha, through his charitable initiative Players for Good, is launching a global partnership with Rotary International to harness the power and influence of football in the fight against polio.

Building on his vast network - spanning several teams around - the world — Mirandinha’s mission is to rally support from football players, clubs, and fans alike to take on one of humanity’s last great health challenges.

Mirandinha said: "Polio is a crippling and potentially deadly disease, remains endemic in only two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. This effort, often referred to as “the last mile” in the race to end polio, calls for renewed commitment and widespread public awareness to drive the disease out of existence.

"As part of this initiative, Players for Good and Rotary are working towards an ambitious target: to designate End Polio Now as the official cause of the 2026 FIFA World Cup."

Through this campaign, Mirandinha aims to mobilize football’s global fan base and leverage the sport’s international reach to raise awareness and garner support for eradicating polio.

The former Brazil star added: "I’ve seen how football has the power to inspire and unite people from all backgrounds. If we can harness that passion and direct it towards eradicating polio, we can achieve something truly historic. This partnership with Rotary is the first step."

To read more on Mirandinha's work as an ambassador to help end polio around the world go to this site.