Juninho, how and when did you decide to become a football player? How was your time in the youth ranks and the beginning of your career?
I always had the encouragement of my family. When I was six, I started playing indoor football for Juventus-SP and I only played on a field when I was twelve. In the youth teams, I had many problems due to my skinny physique. People did not believe that I could be competitive, but I always believed in my football.
Even when I was released from Juventus and Corinthians, my family always supported me and had the conviction that I would make it. Then a youth coach at Ituano believed in my potential and I came to meet them here. It was only when I became a professional and when I played in two Paulista championships that these issues were finally put behind me.
At São Paulo, you worked with Tele Santana. How was it working with him?
Tele was very demanding, on the field and off it. He worried about everything that the players did. This was a positive point for the players to progress in their individual careers. Tele tried to take away our faults in each training session and it helped me a lot in my career.
What was the best team you have played in: São Paulo in 1993 or Vasco in 2000?
That’s tough. I think the São Paulo squad was better and the team was a tough side to play against. That Vasco side, although it didn’t have the big names that São Paulo had, was just as good.
You also went to Palmeiras and know that for a while now the team has not won a major title . Do you think the pressure of the crowd disrupts the team?
Not only the fans but also the fights between the directors and their power struggles. This certainly has been reflected on the pitch. I think people involvedin the club are not acting in the interests of Palmeiras, but for the sake of the management.
If you do not have harmony off the pitch you won’t find it on the pitch. In the Parmalat era, things were also troubled off the field, but with so many star players, they could produce those wonderful seasons.
Today, they do not have many superstars that can make that sort of difference. I think this is what causes the pressure, which has caused the team to get stuck and therefore unable to obtain results. There could be improvement throughout Palmeiras, from top to bottom, so that things could get better.
Many people consider you the most successful Brazilian player to have played in England. How much does that mean to you?
A lot. England values the past, whilst in Brazil, people do not appreciate the past so much. The recognition that I have there, I am só grateful for. Recently, I had the opportunity to play a farewell game at Middlesbrough against PSV and it was wonderful. They had nearly 20,000 people in the stadium. That’s what player’s savour from their career and you can see the importance with which people treat Brazilian players outside of Brazil.
Do you ever think about going back to Middlesbrough to take a position within the club?
It’s hard to say. Today I have a stable life here in Brazil. I went to live in other countries to be playing football, but I do not know if I would change the country to be an official. That’s a different situation.
Last time you spoke to Sambafoot, you said you were trying to arrange a friendly between Middlesbrough and Ituano…
I want to arrange a friendly between the two teams. In the time I spent there for my farewell game I talked extensively with Steve Gibson (Middlesbrough Chairman) and maybe something can happen next year.
In 1998, you were a certainty to be in Zagallo’s squad, but you suffered a concussion. How did you feel to miss out on a World Cup?
I think it was the first major disappointment of my career. Until then, I had never suffered a serious injury and this happened to come on the eve of the World Cup and during the best spell of my career. So, it really set me back a long way, it took two years to regain all the level I was at before. It was a remarkably negative spell of my career.
In 2002, you won the World Cup. How was that squad? How was it for you personally?
This squad started taking shape in the last few World Cup qualifiers. The difficulty was a lack of confidence from the press and the fans also made all the players feel compelled to strive for Brazil. This was increasingly felt by the selectors and the players. The qualifiers strengthened us and this union was felt between us and not seen by the people on the outside. They could only see it in the World Cup, when we reaped all the benefits.
How do you regard the work of Mano Menezes with the Brazilian national team?
I see Mano Menezes as a competent coach and he has shown that during the four years before taking charge of the national team. I think he needs to have time. Until now, he has had no experience with the national team and he is getting that now. All of us must give him some credit and believe in his work. Those players in the Seleção are so talented.
The Junior Novelli stadium has been renovated and looks very good. What are the next goals for Ituano?
I think the goal for Ituano is to acheive a place in the Copa do Brazil and the Copa Paulista. We’re a confident team and we’re going to try and get to the second phase to acheive these goals.
