Joelinton joins Howe in urging Newcastle owners to match world ambition

Joelinton has echoed Eddie Howe’s call for Newcastle United’s owners to accelerate plans for a new stadium and training ground, insisting the club must build a world-class infrastructure if it is serious about becoming “No.1 in the world”.

The Brazilian midfielder, who joined Newcastle before the Saudi-led takeover in 2021, says progress has been made both on and off the pitch but believes 2026 must mark a turning point. Despite repeated discussions, the club have yet to make formal announcements on long-term plans for a new stadium or upgraded training facilities, creating what Howe recently described as a sense of “limbo”.

Speaking after Newcastle’s 3-1 win over Burnley on Tuesday, Joelinton made it clear he shares his manager’s view that elite facilities are essential if the club are to compete with Europe’s biggest sides.

“The team wants to be one of the best in the world,” Joelinton said. “For that, you have to be the best in the world in every respect, with the training ground, with everything to help the players to deliver their best selves on the pitch.”

He acknowledged the scale of the challenge facing the owners but stressed that ambition must now be matched with visible progress.

“I do think the club is going in the right direction. It is not easy to build something like that overnight. The club has made a lot of improvements since I came here. It is going in the right direction, I just hope that in the future we can be the best in the world with everything, the training ground and the stadium.”

Howe last week urged the hierarchy to provide clarity on major infrastructure projects, suggesting uncertainty off the pitch can impact long-term planning on it. Joelinton’s comments reinforce that message from within the dressing room, adding weight to calls for 2026 to be a decisive year.

More than four years on from the takeover, Newcastle have established themselves as a competitive Premier League side and Champions League qualifiers, but rivals continue to invest heavily in facilities as well as squads. Internally, there is a growing sense that infrastructure must now catch up with ambition.

On the pitch, Joelinton believes the new year can still be a positive one for Newcastle despite their current position. The club sit 10th in the Premier League, having struggled for consistency, but his return from injury and recent performances have lifted confidence.

“I think we have great players here,” he said. “Players that have been here a long time, and they have brought success to the club as well. We know we have been very inconsistent this season, but I believe in the squad and believe in everyone here.”

He added that mentality will be key going forward.

“Every game has to be a fight now. That has to be our mentality going into 2026. Every game is like a final, and you have to give your best.”

Attention will now turn to whether Newcastle’s ownership provide tangible updates on infrastructure plans in the early part of 2026. On the pitch, Howe’s side will look to build momentum after the Burnley win as they attempt to climb back into European contention, with Joelinton hoping improved fitness allows him to play a leading role in the second half of the season.

Should Newcastle’s owners prioritise stadium and training ground upgrades in 2026 — or is continued investment in the squad still the bigger priority?