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Page last updated at 10:11 GMT, Tuesday, 28 October 2008

Juninho wants one last Boro game

Juninho
Juninho was voted as Boro's best-ever player by fans

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.

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.

606: DEBATE
"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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see also
Boro lift Carling Cup
29 Feb 04 |  League Cup
Juninho's taste for Teesside
03 Jul 02 |  Middlesbrough
Boro's Juninho swoop
03 Jul 02 |  Middlesbrough


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