Juninho Paulista
A deep dive into the career of a celebrated Brazilian attacking midfielder, renowned for his technical skill and impactful performances.
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Player Profile
Personal Information
Full Name: Osvaldo Giroldo Júnior
Date of Birth: 22 February 1973
Place of Birth: São Paulo, Brazil
Height: 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Position: Attacking Midfielder
National Role
Currently serves as the national team co-ordinator for the Brazil national football team.
Played 49 international matches for Brazil between 1995 and 2003.
Key achievements include winning the 2002 FIFA World Cup and a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympic Games.
Career Overview
A dynamic attacking midfielder known for his technical prowess and vision.
Played for prominent clubs across Brazil, Europe, and Australia.
His career spanned from the early 1990s to the late 2000s, leaving a significant mark on several teams.
Club Career Trajectory
Brazilian Beginnings
Juninho commenced his senior career with Ituano FC in 1990. His standout performance against São Paulo FC in 1993, where he scored and was named man of the match, led to his transfer to São Paulo FC. With São Paulo, he secured notable titles including the 1993 Intercontinental Cup and the 1994 Copa CONMEBOL.
English Stint at Middlesbrough
In October 1995, Juninho joined Middlesbrough for £4.75 million, becoming a fan favorite known as "The Little Fella." His skillful play was instrumental in the club reaching the FA Cup and League Cup finals in 1997. Despite Middlesbrough's relegation that season, Juninho's individual performance earned him runner-up for the FWA Player of the Year award. He later returned for a third spell, contributing to their 2003-04 League Cup victory.
Atlético Madrid and Injuries
A move to Atlético Madrid for £13 million saw Juninho's time hampered by significant injuries, most notably a broken fibula in 1998, which caused him to miss the 1998 World Cup. He also had loan spells back at Middlesbrough and Vasco da Gama, where he played alongside another Juninho, necessitating the "Paulista" moniker for differentiation.
Celtic and Later Career
In 2005, Juninho moved to Scottish club Celtic on a free transfer, making his debut in an Old Firm derby. However, he struggled to secure a regular starting position and often played out of his preferred midfield role. He later returned to Brazil with Palmeiras and Flamengo, and concluded his playing career with Sydney FC in Australia as a marquee player in 2007-08.
International Career Highlights
National Team Representation
Juninho represented Brazil at the senior international level from 1995 to 2003, accumulating 49 caps and scoring 5 goals.
His participation was crucial in Brazil's triumph at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, a testament to his contribution during a golden era for Brazilian football.
Olympic and Continental Success
He was part of the Brazilian squad that secured a bronze medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, showcasing his talent on the global stage early in his career.
Additionally, he was a runner-up in the 1995 Copa América, demonstrating his consistent presence in Brazil's major tournament squads.
Comprehensive Career Statistics
Senior Career Appearances and Goals
The following table details Juninho Paulista's senior career statistics across various clubs and competitions.
International Statistics
Juninho's international career with the Brazilian national team is summarized below:
| National Team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 1995 | 15 | 1 |
| 1996 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1997 | 9 | 0 | |
| 1998 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1999 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2000 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2001 | 11 | 2 | |
| 2002 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2003 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 49 | 5 |
Career Honours
São Paulo FC
- Supercopa Libertadores: 1993
- Intercontinental Cup: 1993
- Recopa Sudamericana: 1993, 1994
- Copa CONMEBOL: 1994
Vasco da Gama
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2000
- Copa Mercosur: 2000
Middlesbrough
- Football League Cup: 2003–04
Flamengo
- Campeonato Carioca: 2007
Brazil National Team
- FIFA World Cup: 2002
- FIFA Confederations Cup: 1997
Individual Accolades
Premier League
- Premier League Player of the Month: March 1997
- Premier League Player of the Season: 1996–97
- Middlesbrough Player of the Year: 1996–97
- North-East FWA Player of the Year: 1997
Brazilian Football
- Bola de Prata: 2000, 2005
- South American Team of the Year: 2000, 2001
Squad Appearances
Major Tournaments
Juninho Paulista was a key member of several significant Brazilian national squads:
- 1995 Copa América: Runner-up
- 1996 Summer Olympics: Bronze Medalists
- 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup: Winners
- 2001 Copa América: Squad Member
- 2002 FIFA World Cup: Winners
Navigational Context
His involvement in these tournaments is often highlighted through navigational boxes that link to the full squad details for each competition.
These include squads for the 1995, 1997, and 2001 Copa América, the 1996 Olympics, and the victorious 2002 FIFA World Cup campaign.
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References
References
- Juninho Paulista at National-Football-Teams.com
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Academic Disclaimer
Important Notice
This content has been generated by an AI model, drawing upon publicly available data from Wikipedia. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness, the information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional sports analysis or official documentation.
This is not professional sports advice. Users should consult official sources and qualified sports analysts for definitive information. The creators of this page are not liable for any inaccuracies or omissions, nor for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.