NEWCASTLE United midfielder Joelinton has been rewarded for his brilliant season with his first Brazil call-up.

The 26-year-old will join Newcastle teammate Bruno Guimaraes in Ramon Menezes's squad for the June friendlies against Guinea and Senegal.

It's a huge boost for Joelinton who despite being on the national's team radar over the past 12 months hasn't received a call-up until now.

Back in March, interim boss Menezes gave the Newcastle man hope that a call-up was just around the corner, saying: “Joelinton is a great player and can fit in as a defensive midfielder (or) midfielder. He is a strong player, who we are watching and who can wear the shirt of the national team at any time.”

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Menezes has continued to watch Joelinton and has now included the Newcastle man in a squad for the first time. It caps a superb season for Joelinton, who has been one of the star men in helping Eddie Howe's side qualify for next season's Champions League.

He'll now be hoping to make his debut in one of the two coming games. Brazil play Guinea on Barcelona on Saturday, June 17 before facing Senegal in Lisbon three days later.

Joelinton is one of five newcomers in the Brazil squad, with the two friendlies set to be interim boss Menezes's final games in charge.

It's not yet clear who'll take charge, with Brazil still said to be hoping to convince Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti to take the job.