In a harrowing turn of events, Newcastle United midfielder Joelinton has revealed that his home has been burgled for the second time in less than a year.
The Brazilian, who has been an integral part of the Magpies’ midfield, shared the distressing news with his followers on social media, pleading for his family’s safety and privacy after the traumatic incident.
Joelinton’s latest run-in with thieves comes just months after a similar break-in earlier in 2024, when he was targeted by criminals while his family was attending a match. This time, the midfielder expressed his deep frustration and concern for his loved ones. “Our home was broken into again. To anyone considering doing this—please know that there is nothing valuable left here!” he wrote, underscoring the emotional toll these incidents have taken on his family. “What we care about most is our family’s safety and our kids growing up without fear.”
This call for security and peace of mind is a sentiment that resonates with many professional athletes, who often face the dual pressures of their high-profile careers and the privacy and safety of their personal lives. Joelinton’s message continued: “We hope for a community where our children, and everyone’s children, feel safe. We ask that our home be respected as a safe space for our family. We simply want to live in peace.”
The timing of this second break-in is especially troubling, as it falls exactly 10 months after the first raid on Joelinton’s property. In January, while Newcastle faced Manchester City in a 3-2 defeat at St James’ Park, Joelinton’s house was targeted by thieves. The midfielder received a security alert on his phone during the match, prompting him to immediately notify the police. Three burglars had gained entry to his home in Darras Hall, but fortunately, the property was empty at the time, with Joelinton’s family not present.
Newcastle United acted swiftly, with officers responding to the scene and even deploying a police helicopter to track down the intruders. Unfortunately, by the time law enforcement arrived, the burglars had already fled. While nothing was stolen in that incident, the emotional toll on Joelinton and his family was significant, and now, just months later, they have faced a similar violation of their privacy.
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Joelinton is not alone in having been targeted by criminals this year. His teammate, Alexander Isak, also found his home raided in April 2024, with thieves targeting the Swede’s Northumberland property. Isak’s experience, alongside Joelinton’s, highlights an unsettling trend among Premier League players, who are increasingly seen as lucrative targets for thieves due to their wealth and public profiles.
Other top-flight footballers have also had their homes raided over the past year, further raising concerns about player safety and the vulnerability of their families. Manchester City’s Jack Grealish was another high-profile target, with his house being burgled over Christmas 2023 while his family was at home watching him play on television. During that break-in, the raiders made off with £1 million worth of jewelry, leaving Grealish and his loved ones shaken.
Adding to the growing list of incidents involving Premier League players, Grealish’s Manchester City teammate, Kevin De Bruyne, experienced a similar ordeal in early December when his 70-acre estate in Belgium was broken into while he was away at the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia. De Bruyne’s case is another stark reminder of the vulnerability that comes with fame and wealth, as even football stars who spend time abroad are not immune to the risks of burglary.
For Joelinton, the emotional and psychological impact of repeated break-ins cannot be overstated. The midfielder’s latest plea for privacy reflects the toll that these events take not only on his own well-being but on the safety of his family, particularly his three children. Footballers often live in the public eye, with paparazzi and fans constantly tracking their every move. But the reality of having one’s private space violated by thieves is an entirely different kind of invasion.
This second break-in is a stark reminder of the vulnerability that comes with fame and fortune. Professional athletes, despite their public personas, are entitled to the same sense of security and peace as anyone else. The fact that Joelinton has now faced this violation twice in a year underscores the growing need for better protection for football players and their families.
The response from Newcastle United and law enforcement after the first break-in was commendable, but the fact that such an incident could happen again so soon highlights the need for even greater vigilance when it comes to player safety. The club and local authorities must work together to ensure that further breaches do not occur and that those responsible are held accountable.
As Joelinton continues his recovery from injury and prepares for a return to action on the pitch, his focus is understandably on providing a safe environment for his loved ones. His plea for a “safe space” is one that all professional athletes, regardless of sport, can relate to. No amount of wealth or fame can replace the peace of mind that comes from knowing one’s family is protected from harm.
This recent break-in will likely prompt broader discussions around security measures for football players, who are increasingly targeted by criminals due to their high profiles. The need for secure, private spaces has never been more pressing for athletes who are often away from home for extended periods due to their commitments with clubs and national teams.
For now, Joelinton and his family are once again left to pick up the pieces after another traumatic experience. But through it all, the midfielder has remained resilient, using his platform to advocate for the safety and well-being of his family. As the dust settles from this latest violation, one can only hope that this serves as a wake-up call to improve security for all players in the Premier League and beyond, ensuring that their homes remain the safe spaces they deserve.
The focus now turns to the future: Joelinton’s return to football and the hope that he and his family can begin to move forward from this distressing chapter in their lives. While the physical toll of injury is difficult for any player, the emotional and mental impact of a home invasion is something that cannot be underestimated. Joelinton’s strength in the face of adversity speaks volumes about his character, and as he prepares for his comeback, one can only hope that the safety of his family will soon be restored.
