Juninho, the experience of a World Champion
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Juninho, what has your return to Brazil and into integration to Palmeiras been like?
[photo=juninho.JPG id=84 align=right]Juninho
Everything has gone very well. It was much easier for me to move home than it was moving around in Europe. I already knew some players here and my family is from São Paulo, which helped me to re-adjust without any major difficulties.
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What motivated you to sign with the Verdão since you had other offers in Brazil?
Juninho
My relationship with Palmeiras is old. When I finished my contract with Vasco and was playing for Flamengo, I had the chance to come to Palmeiras, but at that time the move was not certain. Also in the beginning of this year when I was at Celtic, Palmeiras again showed interest and but once more it did not give confirmation of its interest. As I was not very happy at my last club, it was more or less agreed I would come to Palmeiras at the end of May. Other clubs revealed their interest, when they knew of my desire to return to Brazil, but I already made my mind up, to play for Palmeiras, and the deal was struck.
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You played for more than 2 years at FC São Paulo. How does the the two clubs differ in relation to the vision that they have?
Juninho
The two clubs well are matched. Recently São Paulo was the first of many clubs, not only here in São Paulo but in all of Brazil to improve the clubs infrastructure. Being a pioneer in the evolution of the club, is what has given them their recent successes. Palmeiras are bringing themselves up to date now, changing its infrastructure and becoming one of the best clubs in Brazil.
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What were your experiences when playing in England, Spain and Scotland?
Juninho
I had the chance of living experiences that have been very important for my life as much as my career. In Europe I learned to play inside in a different way, to take risks, to help my team, to be more disciplined. The behaviour that today exists in European soccer is still very superior to Brazil, but joining the favourable points from Europe, with the favourable points of my career here in Brazil has helped my grow as a player.
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Can you make a comparison between the Brazilian and European games with the physical, tactical and technician differences?
Juninho
I find that here in Brazil we work much more with all aspects of the game, and think therefore that we are much in the front of the Europeans. The Europeans have a good team mentality: they do not train very hard keeping their energies for the game, which is shown by the fact games in Europe have more running than Brazilian games. But, without a doubt, Europeans are way more physical, but tactically and technically, Brazil is superior.
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Which are your personal objectives for this season? Do you still think about the national team?
Juninho
My objective is to play well for Palmeiras and to help the club to conquer the league. We wanted to win the Copa do Libertodores but things did not turn out as we would have liked, our main objective then became victory in the Brazilian championship. I continue to think about the national team yes, but I find that this depends, on how well I work at the club.
sambafoot.com
You are the most experienced player in the team and a world champion. Do you help develop some of the younger players in the team and share your wisdom?
Juninho
Wow, time really passes! It was not long ago that it was I who was the youngest and now, already I am most experienced. I try to pass to the players who are starting nothing more than my experiences and ideas. When somebody asks for to my opinion, I always try to search for some similar experience I had, and share it with them.
Recommended links:
All about Juninho Paulista
Palmeiras: Italian origin, Brazilian success
Della Monica, work and discipline to manage Palmeiras
