Middlesbrough legend Juninho says he would love
to play one last game for the club at the Riverside
Stadium.
The Brazilian, 35, who had three spells at Boro, told BBC Tees:
"I hope the club can find a date for a friendly game. It could be
next pre-season.
"Before I finish my career I would like to wear a Middlesbrough
shirt again and play in front of the crowd."
Juninho has also backed his former team-mate and current Boro
boss Gareth Southgate to become a top manager. <!-- E SF
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The midfielder, who was named as Boro's best-ever player in a
fans' poll, now lives in Sao Paulo but still follows the team's
results closely and is confident manager Southgate has a bright
future in the game.
"I think he is going to become a very good manager because he
was already a manager when he was a player," said Juninho.
"He liked to organise the game from the back and he has the
talent to be a manager."
Juninho, who was known as the Little Fella by the Boro fans, had
some special words for the supporters: "They are part of my family.
I will never forget what they did for me.
"When I think of the good memories I think of all the supporters
shouting my name."
Juninho was first signed for Middlesbrough by Bryan Robson for
£4.25m from Sao Paulo in 1995 before leaving for Atletico Madrid
two years later.
He returned to Teesside on loan in 1999 before signing on a
permanent basis once more in 2002.
He was part of the team that won the Carling Cup in 2004.
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