Sambafoot.com spoke exclusively with former Lyon star and current Vasco da Gama captain Juninho this week and the midfielder admitted that he would love to have former Lyon teammate Florent Malouda with him at Vasco, but knows that it will be difficult due to the club’s poor financial situation.
Juninho, 37, said: “Vasco was interested in Malouda, but the club is going through difficult economic times and it did not happen. He spoke with several Brazilian clubs but just at the contract level, there is a fairly significant economic difference. I’d love to have Malouda here to help me. But it will be difficult.”
The midfielder has been in great form this season for Vasco and still looks the same player he did when he was the best player in France during Lyon’s years of Ligue 1 domination, something he puts down to his continued love of the game.
“After my departure from Lyon, I spent two seasons in Qatar. The first and second season I played 35 games in total. These two seasons out there helped me to refresh myself a little, take a little more time to recover physically. I always wanted to play the same, with the same love of football.
“I have to accept that the end of my career is near, it happens. But I managed to keep the same weight as when I started my career, it makes things a bit easier. I still enjoy to participate in training every day.”
And while the free-kick specialist believes he has one more season in him, he is also preparing to make the switch from player to coach and with maybe one eye on a future role with Lyon.
“There is nothing official yet. But of course, I prepare my conversion. I do not know yet what I will do next season. I have the opportunity to continue with Vasco, I have other contacts as well. Normally I play one more season in 2013. I’d love to make my contribution to Lyon but we must be ready for it.”
