|
Full Name |
Joelinton Cássio Apolinário de Lira |
|
Known As |
Joelinton |
|
Date of Birth |
14 August 1996 |
|
Age (2026) |
29 years old |
|
Place of Birth |
Aliança, Pernambuco, Brazil |
|
Nationality |
Brazilian |
|
Height |
1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) |
|
Weight |
Around 81 kg |
|
Position |
Central Midfielder (former striker) |
|
Preferred Foot |
Right |
|
Current Club |
Newcastle United |
|
Shirt Number |
7 |
|
National Team |
Brazil |
|
Contract Until |
June 2028 |
|
Estimated Net Worth (2026) |
$30 million to $35 million |
|
Weekly Wage |
Around £150,000 |
Who Is Joelinton?
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Joelinton Cássio Apolinário de Lira was born on 14 August 1996 in Aliança, a small place in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco. He came up through the youth setup at Sport Recife, where he was good enough to play for the senior side as a teenager. In 2015 he made the move to Europe with German club Hoffenheim, and from there he spent two seasons on loan at Rapid Wien in Austria, where he scored plenty of goals and started to build a name for himself.
He went back to Hoffenheim and had a strong season in the Bundesliga, which is what convinced Newcastle United to spend a club record fee on him in 2019. He was bought as a number nine, a goalscorer, and the early days did not go to plan. The goals dried up and the pressure built. Everything changed when Eddie Howe arrived and moved him into central midfield. That switch saved his Newcastle career and made him a fan favourite.
Position: From Misfiring Striker to Midfield Engine
This is one of the most interesting parts of his story. Joelinton was signed as a forward, but he never really looked comfortable leading the line in England. Under Eddie Howe he was pushed back into a box to box midfield role, and it suited him perfectly. He is strong, he covers a huge amount of ground, he wins the ball back and he can carry it forward. He is the kind of player who does the dirty work that lets the more creative players shine.
Today he is best described as a central midfielder, although he can still play on the left or push forward when needed. His combination of power and energy is rare, and it is the main reason he became a regular for the Brazil national team after making his senior debut in 2023.
Joelinton Height and Physical Profile
Joelinton stands at 1.86 metres, which is about 6 feet 1 inch. He weighs in the region of 81 kilograms. That frame is a big part of his game. He uses his body to shield the ball, to hold off opponents and to win duels in the middle of the pitch. For a midfielder he is genuinely physical, and that is exactly why he is so hard to play against.
Joelinton Stats and Career Numbers
Joelinton is not the type of midfielder who fills the stat sheet with goals and assists every week, and that is fine, because that is not his job. His value shows up in tackles, recoveries, ball carries and pressing. That said, he has scored some big goals over the years, including memorable strikes in the Champions League and important league moments for Newcastle.
Across his senior career he has racked up hundreds of appearances for club and country, with a healthy tally of goals for a player who spends most of his time defending and building play rather than finishing it. He was also part of the Newcastle side that won the Carabao Cup, the club's first major domestic trophy in a very long time, which made him a hero on Tyneside.
Joelinton Net Worth in 2026
This is the question that brings most people here. Based on his long term contract, his weekly wage and the kind of commercial deals a Premier League and Brazil international tends to attract, Icon Polls estimates that his net worth sits somewhere between $30 million and $35 million in 2026. It is worth being honest that no public figure ever confirms an exact number, so this is a careful estimate built from what is known about his earnings rather than a figure he has published himself.
Most of his wealth comes from football wages, which have grown a lot since he moved into midfield and became a key man. On top of that, players at his level usually earn extra from boot deals and brand partnerships, though the details of those are normally kept private.
Joelinton Salary and Contract
Joelinton signed an improved long term contract with Newcastle United in 2024 that keeps him at the club until the summer of 2028. Reports put his wage at around £150,000 per week, which works out to roughly £7.8 million per year before any bonuses. That deal made him one of the highest earners at the club and reflected just how important he had become to the team.
Icon Polls notes that this kind of salary is a reward for consistency. He earned the raise by being one of the most reliable performers in the squad season after season, not by chasing headlines.
Joelinton Transfer Value
On the transfer market, Joelinton is valued in the region of €28 million to €35 million depending on which source you check and the time of year. His value has held up well because midfielders with his physical profile do not come along often, and he is signed to a long contract, which gives Newcastle a strong negotiating position. Icon Polls views him as a player whose real worth to Newcastle is higher than any transfer figure, simply because of the role he plays and the trust the manager has in him.
Why Newcastle Fans Love Him
Beyond the numbers, Joelinton is adored at St James' Park because of his attitude. He went through a tough start, took a lot of criticism, and instead of sulking or pushing for a move, he reinvented himself and worked his way into the hearts of the fans. There is a whole song dedicated to him on the terraces. Supporters respect effort and honesty, and he gives both every week.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joelinton
1. How old is Joelinton in 2026?
He was born on 14 August 1996, which makes him 29 years old in 2026.
2. What is Joelinton's net worth?
Icon Polls estimates his net worth in 2026 is between $30 million and $35 million, based mainly on his football earnings.
3. How much does Joelinton earn per week?
He earns around £150,000 per week at Newcastle United, which is roughly £7.8 million per year before bonuses.
4. How tall is Joelinton?
He is 1.86 metres tall, which is about 6 feet 1 inch.
5. What position does Joelinton play?
He plays mainly as a central, box to box midfielder. He started his career as a striker but was converted into a midfielder at Newcastle.
6. What club does Joelinton play for?
He plays for Newcastle United in the English Premier League.
7. What number does Joelinton wear?
He wears the number 7 shirt for Newcastle United.
8. Where is Joelinton from?
He is Brazilian, born in Aliança in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil.
9. Does Joelinton play for Brazil?
Yes. He made his senior debut for the Brazil national team in 2023 and has been called up since.
10. When does Joelinton's contract expire?
His current Newcastle United contract runs until June 2028.
11. How much did Newcastle pay for Joelinton?
Newcastle signed him from Hoffenheim in 2019 for what was then a club record fee, widely reported to be around £40 million.
12. What is Joelinton's transfer value in 2026?
His market value is estimated at roughly €28 million to €35 million, depending on the source and the time of year.
13. Why was Joelinton moved from striker to midfield?
He struggled to score consistently as a striker. Manager Eddie Howe moved him into midfield, where his strength, energy and work rate made him far more effective.
14. Has Joelinton won any trophies with Newcastle?
Yes. He was part of the Newcastle side that won the Carabao Cup, the club's first major domestic trophy in decades.
15. What is Joelinton's full name?
His full name is Joelinton Cássio Apolinário de Lira.
16. What foot does Joelinton use?
He is right footed.
17. Which clubs has Joelinton played for?
He has played for Sport Recife in Brazil, Hoffenheim in Germany, Rapid Wien in Austria on loan, and Newcastle United in England.
18. Is Joelinton one of the highest paid players at Newcastle?
Yes. After his 2024 contract extension he became one of the top earners in the squad.
19. How does Joelinton make his money?
The large majority of his income comes from his football wages, with additional earnings from boot deals and brand partnerships.
20. What makes Joelinton special as a player?
His mix of size, stamina, ball winning and ability to carry the ball forward. He does the hard, unglamorous work that allows the team's attackers to shine.
21. How much does Joelinton weigh?
He weighs around 81 kilograms, which suits his physical style of play.
22. Is Joelinton a Newcastle fan favourite?
Very much so. Fans love him for turning his career around after a difficult start and for the effort he puts in every game.