Samba Beat: Juninho

Juninho has arguably been the most popular Brazilian to ever play in English football.

Juhinho Paulista first played for the famous São Paulo FC in 1993. In that season his team won both the Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup, beating Milan 3-2.

A year later the midfielder made his name worldwide by adding the CONMEBOL Cup to his list of trophies, and finishing the competition as the top goalscorer.

In 1995, Juninho made his debut for the Brazilian team and his performances were enough for him to be awarded the prestigious award of Brazilian Player of the Year.

He transferred to Middlesbrough from Sao Paulo for a £4.75 million fee in November 1995 with the reputation as one of the best players in the world. In a two-year spell at the Riverside Stadium, the little number 10 played over fifty League apperances for the Teesiders, scoring 14 goals.

He also played in the 1997 FA Cup Final when 'Boro lost 2-0 to Chelsea, and returned for a second spell, initially on loan, from Atletico Madrid. Juninho lined up in that Cup Final side with another Brazilian - Emerson, who had been a £4 million capture from Porto in July 1996.

After a £12 million move to Spanish side Atletico Madrid, Juninho returned to England in the summer of 1999 and played in the majority of 'Boro's league matches that season.

Come the end of the season, though, Juninho was on his way once again, this time returning to Brazil to play for Vasco da Gama.

With Vasco he won the Mercosur Cup and Brazilian League before he headed off to Korea and Japan with Brazil's World Cup squad.

Written off my many at home as not having a hope in hell of bringing back the ultimate prize, Luiz Felipe Scolari's side swept through to the Yokohama final, beating England along the way.

The 29-year-old Juninho played in five of the Samba Boys' games and fully deserved to have a World Cup winner's medal hanging around his neck.

After the tournament, he came back to Middlesbrough for a third time, signing for £6 million, though injuries restricted his appearances during the 2002/03 season.

Juninho

Nationality: Brazilian 
Date of Birth: 22 Febraury 1973 
Place of Birth: Sao Paulo, Brazil 
Height: 5' 05''
Weight: 9 06 
Club: Middlesbrough
Position: Forward