16 Facts About Juninho Paulista

Juninho Paulista began his senior career with Ituano, a team in Itu, Sao Paulo, in 1990.

In 1993, during a Campeonato Paulista match against reigning champions Sao Paulo, Juninho scored and was voted man of the match, as Ituano secured an unlikely victory.

Juninho Paulista went on to be voted "Rookie of the Year" that season.

In 1993, Juninho Paulista was transferred to Sao Paulo, with whom he won a number of trophies, including the 1993 Intercontinental Cup against Italian team Milan and the 1994 Copa CONMEBOL.

Juninho Paulista made his debut for the Brazil national team in February 1995, before moving abroad to play in Europe.

Juninho Paulista became known as "TLF" by Boro fans, after local radio broadcaster Dave Roberts nicknamed the player on his football talk show.

Juninho Paulista proved extremely effective as an attacking midfielder, and his skills helped the club reach the final of both the FA Cup and League Cup in 1997, although they lost both.

Ultimately, Juninho Paulista left Middlesbrough to pursue his chances of making Brazil's 1998 World Cup squad.

Juninho Paulista scored 17 goals in 74 games during his first time at Middlesbrough.

On 1 February 1998, during a league match against Celta Vigo, a tackle by opponent defender Michel Salgado broke Juninho Paulista's fibula, sidelining the Brazilian for six months and thus making him miss the 1998 World Cup.

Juninho Paulista won the 2000 domestic Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A championship and the international Copa Mercosur trophy.

Juninho Paulista said he would love a fourth spell at the Boro to end his career, however no such opportunity materialised.

Juninho Paulista struggled to break into the first team during his time with Celtic, and complained that manager Martin O'Neill did not play him enough.

Juninho Paulista returned to Brazil in 2005, to play for Palmeiras.

Juninho Paulista moved back to his former team Flamengo in 2007 for the Carioca Championship and the Copa Libertadores, but never won the trust of coach Ney Franco, playing only about half of the games.

In January 2010, Juninho Paulista returned to the game as player-president of Brazilian club Ituano, and on the last day of the season, with his impending retirement, he scored the goal that saved them from relegation.