Juninho played 49 international matches for the Brazil national team from 1995 to 2003, winning the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the bronze medal at the 1996 Olympic tournament.

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

[7] Juninho became known as "TLF" (The Little Fella) by Boro fans, after local radio broadcaster Dave Roberts nicknamed the player on his football talk show.

[citation needed] He made his debut on 4 November 1995 at home to Leeds United, setting up the opening goal for Jan Åge Fjørtoft in a 1–1 draw.

On 1 February 1998, during a league match against Celta Vigo, a tackle by opponent defender Míchel Salgado broke Juninho's fibula,[12][13] sidelining the Brazilian for six months and thus making him miss the 1998 World Cup.

Instead of playing in his usual position in the middle of the pitch, Juninho was often deployed on the right by O'Neill, due to the presence of already established Celtic midfielders Stiliyan Petrov and Neil Lennon.

[21] He 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 May that year, Juninho's contract was terminated after arguing with and insulting Franco after refusing to be substituted at half-time during a disappointing 3–0 quarter-final defeat at Uruguayan side Defensor Sporting in the Copa Libertadores.

In January 2010, Juninho 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.

Appearances and goals by national team and year[25] São Paulo[26] Vasco da Gama[26] Middlesbrough[26] Flamengo[26] Brazil[26] Individual Notes Citations