Brazil

• Nickname:
• Founded:0
• Manager:

• Ground:
• Capacity:NaN

Juninho calls it a day

02 Jul 2006 - 17:26:37

Click To Enlarge

Juninho Pernambucano has announced his retirement from international football following Brazil's disappointing World Cup campaign.

The 31-year-old made his last appearance for the Selecao as they slumped to a 1-0 quarter-final defeat against France on Saturday and he believes it is time to make way for the younger generation.

"It (the national team) is over for me, and it has finished in a very bad way," said Juninho.

"There is total sadness. It is not the time to appoint blame. We all lost.

"We have to think about young guys and build-up another team. All the ones who are more than 30 have to leave their place to the younger players, to make a new team for 2010."

Nine other members of Brazil's World Cup squad - Dida, Roberto Carlos, Cafu, Gilberto, Emerson, Ze Roberto, Mineiro, Ricardinho and Rogerio Ceni - are over 30.