Source: Daily_Mail
JUNINHO VIDEO SPECIAL: As the Middlesbrough legend retires - Sportsmail relive his finest moments
Middlesbrough legend Juninho has calledtime on his career at the age of 37 after helping his local Brazilian clubItuano fight off relegation.[LNB]Havingstarted at the club in Sao Paulo as a teenager back in 1989, Juninho's career has comefull circle, and along the way included spells at Atletico Madrid and Celtic[LNB]Sportsmail looks back on some of the pint-sized Brazil midfielder's greatest moments.[LNB] Teesside terror: Juninho celebrates winning the League Cup (left) in 2004 during his third and final spell with Middlesbrough[LNB]Winningthe Copa Libertadores with Sao PauloAfterjoining Brazilian giants Sao Paulo,Juninho went on to win the South American equivalent of the Champions League - the Copa Libertadores - in 1993, before winning the now defunct IntercontinentalCup against European champions AC Milan.[LNB]It made him a hot property around the world, so it was a majorcoup for Premier League new boys to sign him up in a £4.75million deal in 1995.[LNB]Middlesbrough - Part oneDespitebeing 5ft 6in, Juninho, by now a Brazil international, took to England like a duck to water. With his silky skills enough to take anyone on and a keen eye for goal he soon became a favourite with the Boro fanswho dubbed him 'The Little Fella'.[LNB]Inhis second season, Juninho played a pivotal roll in guiding Boroto both the League and FA Cup final in 1997. But having lost both, Borowere then relegated on the last day of the season.[LNB]Despite this setback, he had noregrets on the move. 'It was very challenging when I left Sao Paulo because I went to a team considered small inEurope (Middlesbrough). But I can't say that Iregretted it.,' he told Globoesporte as he reminisced about his career this week.[LNB]Winning the World Cup2002 and Middlesbrough - Part twoAfterjoining Atletico Madridfor £12m following Boro's relegation, Juninho's career stuttered. Injury forced him to miss the 1998 World Cup, even though he felt he had recovered.[LNB]Aftera successful loan period back at Middlesbrough for the 1999-2000 seasonand after success back at home with Vasco da Gama in 2000 and 2001, Juninho forcedhis way back into the Brazil squad for the 2002 World Cup.[LNB] He played five games in Japan and Koreaon Brazil's way to winning the tournament, making up for the devastation atmissing out on the squad four years earlier.[LNB]'Iwas in my best time,' he said. 'I think they could have called me up (for the 1998 World Cup),because I still had a month of preparation and I felt good. [LNB]'Ididn't understand being cut (from the squad) and I was hurt. But then came theconsecration, when I became world champion in 2002. That's life.'[LNB]Middlesbrough- Part threeAfterpaying half the price they sold him for, Steve McLaren brought Juninho back forhis third spell at Middlesbroughin 2002.[LNB]Onceagain he would prove to be a key player and he was again part of the team thatgot to the League Cup final in 2004, including scoring at Highbury againstArsenal in the first leg of the semi-final. [LNB]And this time he tasted successas Boro claimed a 2-1 victory against Bolton.[LNB]Hehad his uses in the League as well, scoring two goals in four minutes againstManchester United in 2004 helped his side to a famous 3-2 victory at OldTrafford.[LNB]Howeverat the end of that season Steve McClaren decided to dispense of Juninho, who thenmoved to Celtic, much to his regret.[LNB]'Ithink that the only situation that could have been avoided was my departurefrom Middlesbrough in 2004,' he said.[LNB]'Wehad the chance to play in the UEFA Cup, but the coach said Iwasn't in his plans and I ended up moving to Celtic.[LNB]'Ihave nothing against the Scottish team, but I think most people would prefer toplay in England.[LNB]'Thecoach ended up leading the Englandteam. I regret having left.'[LNB](Juninho scores the third goal of the match in this video from his final match)[LNB]Returninghome to keep Ituano upAfterjust one season at Celtic followed by three years in Braziland two in Australia,Juninho returned to the club where it all started - in the unorthodoxrole of player-president in 2009.[LNB]This week, In his swansong for the club, Juninho scored the firstas Ituano won 3-0 in the last game of the Paulista (Sao Paulo State Championship). [LNB]The result ensured they avoided relegation from the regional top division, which includesRobinho's Santos and Ronaldo's Corinthians.[LNB]'I'mvery happy,' said an emotional Juninho after the match. 'It's like winning a title. [LNB]'There was great responsibility inhelping Ituano. I had this opportunity to continue playing football and hadhoped for a better position in the league, but at least we weren't relegated.'[LNB]Juninhois now the full time president for the club which he hopes will transform theirfortunes.[LNB]'Ihave a contract with Ituano for five years, renewable for another five. I wantto structure the club.[LNB]'Ituanodon't have a training centre and it is like the time when I started my career.Now, my goal is to change that.'[LNB] NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Sunny outlook for Newcastle as Chris Hughton blows away the dark cloudsPlymouth 0 Middlesbrough 2: Loan star McManus punishes ArgyleClick here for all the Championship standings, results, fixtures and statsMIDDLESBROUGH FC
