2005
Confederations Cup winner (Brazil) 2003 Vainqueur du Trophée des champions (Lyon) 2004 Vainqueur du Trophée des champions (Lyon) 2002 French 1st Division.. Champions (Lyon) 2003 French 1st Division.. Champions (Lyon) 2004 French 1st Division.. Champions (Lyon) 2005 French 1st Division.. Champions (Lyon)
Biography
Juninho, real name Antônio Augusto Ribeiro Reis Junior, also
known as Juninho Pernambucano (born January 30, 1975 in Recife)
is a football (soccer) player from Brazil. He plays with
Olympique Lyonnais and the Brazilian national team.
Juninho played 110 games with Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama,
scoring 24 goals. He won the Copa Libertadores with Vasco and,
in 2000, won the Brazilian silver Ball trophy.
He is especially famous for his accurate, powerful and varied
set pieces, having scored 26 free kicks for Olympique Lyonnais.
He is amongst the world’s best in this area, recently
demonstrated in March 2006, when he scored a freekick from a
staggering 38 metres against AC Ajaccio. In addition, he is a
technically and mentally gifted player, although he lacks the
pace of other midfielders. His leadership abilities have caused
Gerard Houllier to give him the captain's armband, as well.
Juninho has proved an influential force at the club. Before his
arrival at Olympique Lyonnais, the club had never won the
championship, but since his arrival, they have won it four
seasons in a row, and are on pace to win a fifth consecutive
title.
Juninho's exploits at Lyon earned him the admiration of clubs
around Europe, most notably Aston Villa in the English Premier
League. Other rumours suggest that he could be the first of many
big name signings for Aston Villa come the possible takeover by
an Irish Consortium.
