The Formidable character of World Champion Júnior
sambafoot.com
How do you feel your return to Brazil and integration at São Paulo has gone?
[photo=entjunior.JPG id=139 align=right]Júnior
Everything has gone very well. To have had so much time in Europe was a very good experience for me. But coming back toward Brazil I is great and to play for São Paulo is really a wonderful.
sambafoot.com
You played in Italy for 4 years. Which are your memories of the time and what you do you think Brazil can learn from the Europeans?
Júnior
My experience could not have been better. I learned many things in Italy, especially the tactical differences. My best memory is of winning the Italian Championship, with a goal that I scored. I think that what the Europeans have better is the tactical organization, and this is what Brazil has to learn from them.
sambafoot.com
You played and won World the World Cup in 2002. Did it change your life?
Júnior
This win was something very special for me. People started to look at me with different eyes. All Brazilian players have the dream to participate one day in the Brazil team and my dream was achieved. Being part of the group, and then winning it was the best. I think that after the victory my soccer changed for the better because when a player wins the World cup his expectations increase.
sambafoot.com
Having played 4 years at Palmeiras, what are the differences between the Verdão and São Paulo?
Júnior
I was happy and feel very honoured to have had the chance to play 4 years at Palmeiras and to have won so many trophies, but I am currently working with this great team at São Paulo and that is giving much joy to me. I do not see many differences between the two clubs. The two great clubs have their rivalries, but are clubs that all player dreams of playing at. The environment, the structure and the organization also are similar, although I found that the São Paulo’s is slightly superior.
sambafoot.com
Beyond 2002 World Cup what other magical moments have you had?
Júnior
The biggest was when I left Vitória, a club that very is not well known, and moving to São Paulo to play for Palmeiras, that move projected me into world-wide soccer.
Recommended links:
The Júnior card
All about São Paulo FC
The special week of São Paulo in sambafoot.com:
Telê Santana: father of the Brazilian football revival
The spectacular right foot of goalkeeper Rogério
Paulo Autuori aims for world club championship victory
Morumbi: a football temple which looks towards the future
The world advent of São Paulo FC
