Juninho spoke after returning to Middlesbrough to play in the Legacy Game
Juninho waves to fans at the end of the Middlesbrough FC Legacy Game
Juninho waves to fans at the end of the Middlesbrough FC Legacy Game(Image: Trevor Wilkinson/MI News/NurPhoto)
Juninho is hoping he’ll be back on Teesside next year, celebrating Middlesbrough’s return to the Premier League.
The club legend led the cast of former players who returned on Sunday to take part in the Legacy Game - an event to celebrate Boro’s 150th anniversary year.
Rolling back the years, the Brazilian played alongside many former team-mates again, and also Boro legends of other eras. He scored from the penalty spot in the moment of the game too.
And speaking to Teesside Live after the game, Juninho spoke of his love for the area, the emotion of the day, and his hopes that the club can win promotion back to the Premier League this season.
He said: “It’s time for the club to be back where it deserves to be. We got so close last year - we’re getting closer and closer.
“This summer, we’ve seen more investment and more players brought in. I’m supporting from Brazil. I look out for the results and get to watch some games when they’re on. I hope this season they get back.”
Juninho is widely considered the greatest player to ever represent the club. Signed in 1995, he created such a special bond with Boro fans that he returned twice more, won the Carling Cup with the club, and continues to be given a hero's welcome whenever back on Teesside.
“It was great,” he said of his return for the Legacy Game. “It always feels like being at home being back here. I was here three years ago with my son. I wasn’t on the field then though, so it’s a different experience.
“So I was so happy to be back here today, to see the ground and see all the supporters. My old team-mates who I’ve not seen for many years.
“It means a lot to me. Whenever I am back here I am so happy. The organisation of the club to make this game happen was incredible.
“Players have come from all over and that’s not easy. They did such a great job and congratulations to the club for organising the game.”
And Asked why Boro means so much to him, he said: “When I first came, when I first stepped foot on Teesside, I was so very welcomed by the people. It makes it special for me.
“When I say that I feel at home here, I am not joking. I am not just saying that to say it. I feel this deeply. That’s why it’s so special to be back here.”
Juninho made sure to make time for as many fans as possible too. He was the last player still out on the pitch after the game, signing as many autographs and taking as many pictures as he possibly could.
Given he played his final official game in 2004, and it was 15 years since he returned and last played at the Riverside in the friendly against PSV billed as his farewell game, even Juninho himself was taken aback by just how many young children were desperate to have a picture with him.
“They would have only watched me on video!” he said. “But I hope they keep watching old players. It’s really important to respect the history of any club.
“It’s so lovely to see all the kids and that they know who I am. Families tell them who used to play for Middlesbrough, who made history here. It’s important. Not only for me, it’s important for every player who played for this great football club.
“The penalty… we’ll not say much about that! It doesn’t matter about the score. It matters who was here and who came to enjoy the day and to see all the faces of the old players. To see the full stadium once again, it means a lot for all of us.”
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Now 53, he admits we most likely saw his last ever goal at the Riverside as well. But if Kim Hellberg can guide Boro to promotion this season, the Little Fella says he won’t miss the promotion party.
“I think so [last goal at the Riverside],” he concluded. “When you get over 50 like me, it’s not easy to get around the field and play football!
“But it’s always nice to be back. I hope I will be back towards the end of the season to celebrate our promotion.”
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