In the late 2-1 victory over Japan in the Round of 32, Bruno Guimaraes was one of Brazil’s key players. The midfielder set up Gabriel Martinelli’s winning goal and now has four assists in this tournament. That’s as many as two legends of Brazilian soccer. The 28-year-old is now just two assists shy of Pelé’s record from the 1970 World Cup.
Carlo Ancelotti is known for having a knack for working with his players. And so, during the Brazilian national team’s first training camp under his leadership in June 2025, he asked Bruno Guimaraes the following question: “What’s your favorite position to play?” From that moment on, the Newcastle United midfielder knew he would play an important role under the Italian coach.
More Freedom Under Ancelotti
It’s fair to say that Ancelotti has rewritten Bruno Guimaraes’ story with the Seleção: He has evolved from a player who was often accused of fading into the background while wearing the Brazilian jersey to the driving force of the current midfield. In the Round of 16 match against Japan, Bruno Guimaraes played a decisive role in the victory—with his assist to Gabriel Martinelli, who scored the 2-1 winning goal.
With four assists, Bruno Guimaraes is the second-leading assist provider at this World Cup behind Michael Olise (five). And even more remarkable: With four assists for Brazil, he has now caught up to the two legends Zico (at the 1982 tournament in Spain) and Tostao (in 1970 in Mexico). The only player to have done better for the Seleção was Pelé, who recorded six assists at the 1970 World Cup. “He times his runs into the penalty area perfectly,” says Zico of Bruno Guimaraes, “he’s always in the right place and has the composure needed to spot the better-positioned teammate for the finish.”
The 28-year-old, who has been playing for Newcastle since January 2022, has always been a key player for his clubs. But for a long time, he was unable to replicate that form with the national team. That has changed—and he has Ancelotti to thank for it. Under the Italian coach, Bruno Guimaraes no longer has to stick so strictly to his position and enjoys more freedom in the attacking third. The statistics underscore this development: Since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he has recorded nine assists for the Seleção, seven of them under Ancelotti.
Arsenal has its eye on him
No wonder, then, that Ancelotti considers Bruno Guimaraes a key figure. “Bruno is incredibly consistent,” says Ancelotti about the player who was still a reserve during the tournament in Qatar. “Today, I’m a much more complete player than I was four years ago,” says Bruno Guimaraes.
Mikel Arteta, coach of Arsenal FC, agrees—he’d love to bring the midfielder to the English champions. But first up is the Round of 16 match against Norway. And for Bruno Guimaraes, the chase is on to break the assist record held by the legendary figure of Brazilian soccer, the great Pelé.