After two seasons on loan back in his homeland his form returned and he was included in Luiz Felipe Scolari's squad for Japan.
After starting the first four games of the tournament Juninho was dropped for the quarter final against England, in a tactical switch, to tighten up the midfield. He also missed the semi-final but returned as a late substitute in the final.
Juninho had a great World Cup and I am sure every Boro fan around the world will be pleased to see the 'Little Fella' do so well. The final was made even sweeter with the introduction of a certain Herr Ziege, who is probably as high on the 'dislike' list as Juninho is on the 'like' list of ex-Boro players.
Well done Brazil.