Harvey Barnes, the Newcastle United winger, has been reveling in the electric atmosphere at St. James’ Park following the Magpies’ emphatic 3-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League.
In an exclusive interview, Barnes opened up about what has truly surprised him since joining Newcastle: the incredible passion and dedication of the fans. “I wouldn’t have believed you,” Barnes said, reflecting on the sea of black and white-clad supporters who created an unforgettable ambiance.
Barnes, who came off the bench to score a stunning brace, was clearly moved by the fans’ energy. “The atmosphere here is just incredible,” he gushed. “The fans are so passionate, and they’ve been behind us all the way. It’s been amazing to be a part of it.”
The 28-year-old winger also praised manager Eddie Howe’s impact on the team, saying, “Eddie Howe has been excellent since his arrival. He’s brought a winning mentality, and it’s rubbing off on us.”
Barnes’ goals, including a beautifully curled shot and a composed finish, sparked wild celebrations among the Newcastle faithful. As he left the pitch, Barnes was met with chants of his name, a moment he’ll surely cherish forever.
When asked about his ambitions for the season, Barnes replied, “Now is the time to aim for more silverware. If you saw the way the fans celebrated when we won the League Cup, you’d want to do it again. That’s the aim, to give back to the fans and ensure we create more moments like that.”
Barnes also spoke about the team’s recent struggles in the Premier League, saying, “We have too much quality in the team for results like that. Very disappointing, and we should be doing better. We showed tonight that we can be at our best, and we need to correct the result at the weekend when we play Fulham.”
As Newcastle looks to build on their Champions League success, Barnes’ enthusiasm is infectious. “This is just the start,” he said. “We need to keep going and fix some of the things we didn’t get right. Newcastle United is one of the biggest teams in the world in many respects, and we have to make sure we’re competing in these competitions, not just making up the numbers.”
With Barnes leading the charge, Newcastle fans have plenty to be excited about ¹.