The Brazil national team’s training camp began with a major scare. Newcastle United players Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton experienced moments of tension during their trip to Asia when the plane they were traveling on was forced to make an emergency return to Amsterdam after a window cracked mid-flight.

According to Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte, the flight—which was supposed to take them from the Dutch capital to Seoul—had to turn back several hours after takeoff. In total, the players spent over 12 hours on board before finally landing again in Amsterdam.

Unexpected delay and concern within the CBF

The incident caused great concern both at Newcastle and within the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), which is now working against the clock to reorganize the players’ travel plans. Bruno Guimarães was scheduled to take a connecting flight to South Korea as soon as possible, while Joelinton was due to fly directly from the Netherlands.

The delay prevented both from attending Carlo Ancelotti’s first training session with the Seleção in Seoul, a session that already included 21 players. Interestingly, their recent Premier League opponents, Igor Jesus and John Victor of Nottingham Forest, arrived without issue and joined the practice on time.

Fatigue, risks, and a demanding schedule

The incident has reignited the debate over the excessive travel and match load faced by footballers in today’s congested calendar. Having covered more than 10,000 kilometers on this trip alone, both Bruno and Joelinton could see their recovery and physical performance affected, just as the season enters a crucial stage.

Newcastle fears that the fatigue could lead to muscle problems or even injuries, as both players are expected to return to the UK for their Premier League match against Brighton on October 18, before facing Benfica in the Champions League.

Brazil focused on the 2026 World Cup

For Ancelotti, these friendlies against South Korea and Japan are key opportunities to assess his squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Bruno Guimarães is a mainstay in Brazil’s midfield, while Joelinton is fighting to secure his place in the final roster.

Despite the midair scare, both players remain optimistic and are expected to join up with the Brazilian delegation as soon as possible. The journey may have started in fear, but on the pitch, they’ll be looking to turn that fear into motivation.