Monday, 29th July 2024
The journey here - from Brazil to London, then London to Japan - was one of the longest flights of my life!
I flew separately to the rest of the team because I had a few days in America after playing for my country at Copa América, then went back to Brazil. I had fun - I think I deserved that after playing 64 games last season, a record for me - and had a good time with my family.
Miggy and Joelinton FaceTimed me from the team flight and it was nice to speak to them; they were asking me where I'd been, about my holidays, when I would arrive.
When I finally did arrive, it was nice see my friends, my team-mates and everyone involved with the club. I'd missed them and I'd been missing the feeling of playing for this shirt.
Putting the new adidas training kit on for the first time was absolutely magic for me and I honestly couldn't wait to come back. It was nice to be with my family over the summer, but I was missing my job as well so it's great to be here now and to focus on training well, because I need to do a good pre-season to be ready for the Premier League.
I've been to Japan four times. I won the Olympic games here in 2020, so it's special to come back here and remember my gold medal. The country brings back good memories; twice I've been lucky enough to win titles here (with Athletico Paranaense, we won the Copa Sudamericana Championship in 2019), so it's a lovely way to start the season and reflect on what's happened in my career so far. I like being here a lot - even if it is so far away from Brazil!
Tuesday, 30th July 2024
We trained very, very hard today - I think I almost passed out! The first day is always the most difficult and oh my gosh, it was difficult after 18 days on holiday doing pretty much nothing!
But it was good to put the boots on again. Towards the end of the morning session, when I was doing some running, the manager joined me. That shows the man he is. He always gives me good advice and good tips, but to join me in physical work was something you don't expect. When you run with the manager you can't let him down; you have to run more than him, so it was a good challenge for me.
I'll be doing two training sessions a day here, but I was playing Copa América 20 days ago so while I've lost some time, I can soon catch up. A week or ten days from now I will be fine and ready to go again.
The new third kit was launched on the afternoon, too. It's a beautiful shirt. I'd already seen it when I modelled it, and the third shirt is my favourite one. Sandro and Joelinton modelled it too, but not as well as me!
Sandro has been training very well here and he can't wait to come back. And it's been nice to be with my brother Joe again. I was one of the best men at his wedding at the end of May - I think you've all seen some of the videos! His wedding was very important for him and made him very happy.
Last season was tough for him; I'd seen him sad, because he wanted to help the team but he couldn't, so watching him have that special day with his family made me smile from start to finish. We danced together, we laughed together and it was a lovely moment for us.
Wednesday, 31st July 2024
There was small earthquake in central Tokyo overnight but I didn't know anything about it! When we were eating breakfast, some of the players and staff were speaking about it but I didn't feel anything. When I'm asleep, I'm really asleep!
In the morning, I trained hard on the pitch, then did a bike session and some power work in the gym afterwards. I already feel better than I did two days ago and I'm looking forward to being on the pitch again on Saturday. That's going to be a good feeling.
In between training sessions we've been playing ping pong and snooker at the hotel, as well as going out to a bowling arcade. We try to do things together - I think being together as a group and building relationships is a big part of pre-season, as well as training a lot.
I'd been bowling before in Newcastle, so I know how to play, but I didn't expect to be as good at it as I was. I'm definitely not the best at ping pong, though. Emil Krafth and Fabian Schär are both very good - they could play ping pong professionally!
I wasn't involved in the match against Urawa Red Diamonds on the evening, but joined the rest of the non-playing squad players in setting off to the stadium to watch. However, because of heavy rain, we were stuck in traffic for an hour so we missed it. I wanted to be there, but it wasn't possible. I watched the highlights, though, and I think we did well, although we have things to improve too. Jacob Murphy played very well, as did Lewis Hall and Alexander Isak, and it was a good win for us.
Thursday, 1st August 2024
I've been doing so much bike work this week that it feels like I've become a cyclist! Training was gym work and we had the afternoon free so me, Dani Marti (physio), Sandro, Joelinton and Alex Isak went to the Tokyo Disney resort. As I wrote yesterday, we are here for training but also to spend some time together and it was great to be able to go there.
I love Disney. I think it's a Brazilian thing - we grow up with it when we're young and everyone from Brazil likes Disney. The elevator was our favourite attraction, although we didn't have too much time to explore everything.
When I've been to Disneyland with my wife and oldest son, I've been known to wear Mickey Mouse ears, but I didn't with the boys... they would have made fun of me!
Then some of us went to Shibuya Crossing, the world's busiest pedestrian crossing, on the evening. Despite visiting Japan before, I'd never been there so it was enjoyable to visit such a famous street and take some photos.
Friday, 2nd August 2024
The time difference makes it tough to speak to my friends and family in Brazil. My wife is still there with my mum and dad - the weather is quite good, so they are enjoying that, although they will be back in Newcastle very soon.
The difference is 12 hours so when it's morning here, it's night time there, so I try to wake up early so I can speak to my family and see my boys.
Today is Emil Krafth's 30th birthday, and yesterday was Max Thompson's 20th. It's good when we can celebrate these days together and Emil, our Viking, is very popular in the squad. He was great for us last season and is doing well this pre-season, and I was happy we could be with him to celebrate his birthday.
We trained in the morning - partly physical, partly tactical, getting ready for the game tomorrow. Then in the afternoon me, Sandro and Dani went into town to get out of the hotel. We didn't have too much time so I just went and got an ice cream. I've done a lot of running, cycling and gym work this week so I think I'd earned an ice cream - but I hope Andy Kasper, our nutritionist, isn't reading this!
After dinner, a couple of the young players performed their initiation song in front of the group. It's very funny for us, but it also helps to make them feel comfortable with us, because it's not easy when you come up from the Academy or from another club. It's always good to have a laugh to make them feel at home. Everybody is made welcome at our club.
And Dan Burn, Mark Gillespie, Tino Livramento, Jay Turner-Cooke and Oscar Brau, one of our physios, had to sing too. That was a forfeit for coming last in bowling earlier in the week, so they need to bowl better next time...
Saturday, 3rd August 2024
It was so good to be on the pitch again tonight after only four days with the group. We lost 2-0 to Yokohama F. Marinos but for me, the most important thing wasn't really the score; it was getting minutes and getting ready for the Premier League.
I still need to improve physically and technically but I'd missed the feeling of playing and tonight it was very special to captain the club I love so much. I captained the team against Tottenham in Australia too, but this game was my first start as a captain. Everyone knows what the club means to me, so I will keep this match forever in my mind.
I want to be a leader in the group and give even more for the club than before, because they've given me so much. I just want the club to be as big as possible, and to help however I can.
The support out here was incredible and I didn't realise we had so many fans in Japan. But our fans are unbelievable - Japan, Australia, Germany, Paris; everywhere we play, they are with us and I want so much to win something for the fans. They deserve it.
It's been a good week and now we return to Newcastle. I'm looking forward to playing again at St. James' Park at the Sela Weekender; our last game there was Brighton in May, so it feels like a long time since we were in Geordieland and I can't wait!
