Middlesbrough favourite Juninho tells skysports.com of his delight at pulling on the red shirt one last time.
Brazilian bids an emotional farewell to the Riverside
Juninho has told
skysports.com of his delight to play for Middlesbrough one last time.
The Boro favourite and Brazilian World Cup winner admitted playing for the club in Friday's pre-season friendly against PSV Eindhoven was a dream come true.
"When I was playing many good things came into my mind, I have lots of good memories of my time here," he said. "I'm very happy to see the people who have made up a great part of my life.
"I felt nervous like it was my first professional game. I was worried because the game was too fast and I am not that fit.
"I stopped playing about a year and half ago and your body is unforgiving when you stop playing. But it was very enjoyable to play."
"I haven't had time to train, the game was arranged in less than a month but I knew I couldn't play like I did before."
There was a carnival atmosphere inside the Riverside Stadium as over 20,000 supporters turned out for the Brazilian's return which came early in the second half, Marvin Emnes the player to make way.
Boro manager Tony Mowbray added: "This was a fantastic opportunity for our fans to pay tribute to one of the most famous players in our history."
Juninho enjoyed three spells on Teesside after signing a £4.75m deal from Sao Paulo under then Boro manager Bryan Robson in 1995, and was instrumental in the club's Carling Cup winning squad in 2004.
The 38-year-old has since returned to Brazil where he now manages his boyhood club Ituano.
Emotion
"I have to say thank you to all of the fans and they must know they will continue to be in my heart forever. It was emotional to see all of the supporters again and hear them shout my name. I've never had a response like this anywhere else," Juninho said.
"My relationship with the fans here was great since the beginning. They made me feel very welcome, they welcomed my family too and made me feel at home. They could see my emotion when I was in a Boro shirt and that is why connection is so special."
Despite losing 3-2 to PSV Juninho believed Tony Mowbray's side showed promise that will see them to a comfortable position come the end of May.
"I'm sad for the result tonight because Boro played very well in the first half and were very compact. In the second half we gave them [PSV] at lot of space.
"They are a high level team and you cannot let them play. In the Championship they will find a different game. If Boro play like they did in the first half tonight I think they will have the chance to play in the play-offs.
"I hope one day I can come back and help the Club in some way. I would like to help them to get back to where they belong in the Premier League, where they deserve to be."
