Bruno Guimaraes: Arsenal’s No 39 is a tribute to the journey that shaped him

Bruno Guimaraes’ decision to wear the number 39 at Arsenal is rooted in his family history and the struggles that defined the early years of his football career, rather than being a random or purely personal preference.

The Brazil midfielder completed a move to Arsenal this summer from Newcastle United in a deal worth £75m. His transfer brings an end to a period in which he established himself as one of the most influential players at Newcastle United and begins a new chapter with the Gunners.

Guimaraes joined Newcastle United from Lyon in 2022 and quickly became a central figure in the team. His performances, personality and commitment also made him a popular player among the club’s supporters.

During his time on Tyneside, the 28-year-old made 195 appearances for Newcastle United. He helped the club win the Carabao Cup in 2025, securing Newcastle United’s first major trophy in 70 years.

At Arsenal, Guimaraes will aim to compete for silverware and help the Gunners retain the Premier League title for a second successive season. However, alongside his abilities in midfield, supporters are likely to take an interest in the unusual number printed on the back of his new shirt.

The number 39 has been part of Guimaraes’ football identity since the beginning of his career. He first wore it as a young player during a loan spell with Brazilian club Atletico Paranaense.

It remained with him as he progressed from an emerging player in Brazil to an established international midfielder in European football. For Guimaraes, the number has never been an ordinary squad choice.

In February 2023, he explained why he had continued to wear it, saying it represented his career, his life and his family.

“Number 39 tells a story more beautiful than words; it is number 39. I know people see it as a strange number for a footballer, but to me it is a special number… it is more than that; it is a magical number,” Guimaraes said in comments reported by The Sun.

“Number 39 has given me everything in my life; it took me to Newcastle, it provided me with food and clothing, and it paid for the three-hour bus journeys I made in pursuit of my dream.”

The story behind the number is closely connected to Guimaraes’ father, who worked as a taxi driver in Rio de Janeiro. The taxi he drove carried the number 39, giving the figure a lasting significance for his son.

“Number 39 was the number of the taxi my father drove in Rio de Janeiro,” Guimaraes said.

That connection transformed an otherwise unusual football shirt number into a symbol of family, sacrifice and ambition. It reminds Guimaraes of the difficult circumstances his family experienced while he pursued the goal of becoming a professional footballer.

The number has followed him through several stages of his career, from his early days in Brazil to his rise with Lyon, Newcastle United and the Brazil national team. It will now appear on his Arsenal shirt as he takes on his next challenge in the Premier League.

For Guimaraes, No 39 represents much more than a choice made before the start of a season. It carries the memory of his father, the beginning of his football journey and the determination that helped take him from the streets of Rio de Janeiro to the highest levels of European football.