Juninho Pernambucano

Antônio Augusto Ribeiro Reis Júnior, born on 30 January 1975, widely known as Juninho Pernambucano or simply Juninho, is a retired Brazilian footballer who last served as the sporting director of French club Lyon. Renowned for his expertise in dead-ball situations, especially the innovative knuckleball technique he pioneered, Juninho holds the record for the highest number of goals scored from free kicks and is widely regarded as the greatest free-kick taker in the history of the sport.


Juninho initiated his professional career in 1993 with the Brazilian club Sport do Recife. After two years, he moved to Vasco da Gama, amassing over 100 appearances and securing six titles during his tenure. In 2001, Juninho transferred to Division 1 side Lyon, where he spent the next eight years, clinching seven consecutive league titles and netting 100 goals in 343 official appearances for the club. Following his departure from Lyon in 2009, Juninho played in Qatar with Al-Gharafa and then ventured to the United States to join the New York Red Bulls. His American stint was interspersed between two returns to Vasco, ultimately culminating in his retirement in 2013.


Debuting internationally in 1999, Juninho earned 40 caps for the Brazil national team, scoring six goals. He represented Brazil in the 2001 Copa América and contributed to the squad's victory in the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup before concluding his international career post the 2006 World Cup. Transitioning from the pitch to the studio, Juninho served as a football commentator for the Brazilian sports network Rede Globo from 2013 to 2018.


Juninho Pernambucano embarked on his journey with Vasco da Gama in 1995, marking the beginning of a remarkable chapter in his career. Throughout his initial tenure with the club, Juninho clinched several prestigious trophies, including the Brazilian Championship triumphs in 1997 and 2000, the Copa Libertadores victory in 1998, and the Copa Mercosur conquest in 2000. His stellar performances earned him the coveted 2000 Brazilian Silver Ball award, recognizing him as one of the season's premier Brazilian midfielders. Teaming up with football luminaries such as Romário, Edmundo, and Juninho Paulista, Juninho Pernambucano endeared himself to Vasco fans, solidifying his status as Reizinho de São Januário and Reizinho da Colina.


Juninho confronted Vasco da Gama in a legal battle and secured a preliminary injunction, paving the way for his status as a free agent.Despite the legal wrangling and his subsequent departure to Lyon, Juninho remained a cherished figure among Vasco fans, immortalized in a classic fan chorus that reveres his memorable free-kick goal against River Plate at the River Plate Stadium during the 1998 Libertadores, a pivotal moment that propelled Vasco to the finals against Barcelona de Guayaquil, ultimately resulting in victory. Juninho's impactful legacy with Vasco saw him amass 295 appearances for the club from 1995 to 2001.


Juninho embarked on a transformative journey abroad, joining the ranks of the French club Lyon. Lyon, having never secured a French championship before his arrival, witnessed a remarkable change in fortune during his inaugural season. Juninho played an instrumental role as Lyon clinched an unprecedented seven consecutive league titles, etching his name into the annals of the club's history. At Lyon, Juninho distinguished himself with his precision, power, and versatility in executing set pieces. Widely regarded as the world's preeminent free-kick specialist, he further showcased his skills as a prolific passer, contributing numerous assists. Recognizing his leadership qualities, Lyon manager Gérard Houllier bestowed upon him the captain's armband, underscoring his significance within the team.


Juninho Pernambucano left an indelible mark on Lyon's goal-scoring records, netting 100 goals during his tenure, with 44 of them originating from expertly executed free-kicks. His final goal, a spectacular long-range strike against Olympique de Marseille, epitomized his prowess. In his farewell appearance for Lyon, Juninho notched his 100th goal, converting a penalty kick against Caen. His goal-scoring prowess extended to the Champions League, where he equaled Sonny Anderson as Lyon's leading scorer in European competitions, reaching this milestone in a match against Steaua Bucharest in November 2008. Subsequently, he ascended to become Lyon's all-time top scorer in the Champions League, accumulating a total of 18 goals while guiding the team to three quarter-finals in the competition.


On May 26, 2009, Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas announced in a press conference that Juninho's request to depart the club as a free agent at the end of the season had been accepted, despite having a year left on his contract. The press conference witnessed Juninho seated beside Aulas, leaving without uttering a word, marking the end of an illustrious chapter in his Lyon journey.


Vasco da Gama delighted fans with the announcement of Juninho's return to the club. The seasoned player showcased his enduring prowess, contributing both goals and assists in a spectacular third debut for Vasco, securing a 3–1 triumph against rivals Fluminense. Juninho's impact continued as he unleashed a remarkable 32-meter free-kick, finding the net in a match against Criciúma, and displaying his playmaking skills by assisting Edmílson for the third goal of the game. The Brazilian maestro's adeptness shone in subsequent encounters, setting up crucial goals against Botafogo, Grêmio, and Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, accumulating a total of seven assists in the Campeonato Brasileiro. Notably, he played a pivotal role in a thrilling 2–2 draw against Vasco rivals Botafogo, orchestrating two assists after Botafogo had taken a 2–0 lead.


During his third stint with Vasco, Juninho contributed significantly, playing 16 games, scoring twice, and creating seven assists in the Campeonato Brasileiro. His distinguished career culminated on February 2, 2014, as Juninho announced his retirement from professional football. His impact during his years at Vasco da Gama was monumental, clinching six titles, including the Brazilian Championship in 1997 and 2000, the Campeonato Carioca in 1998, the Rio-São Paulo Tournament in 1999, the Copa Libertadores in 1998, and the Copa Mercosur in 2000. In total, Juninho featured in 393 games for the club, showcasing his versatility by scoring 76 goals.Post-retirement, Juninho transitioned to a new role as a football commentator for the Brazilian sports network Rede Globo, a chapter that concluded in 2018.

References

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