Juninho Talks About His Impending Retirement

By: Inara | November 1st, 2008

Juninho (from here and here):

I expected that I would play less this season, but I’ve played a lot so far, and I feel good. I also know that time is running out, with competition from younger players like Ederson or Pjanic, while other players are more important than me in the team. That wasn’t the case last year. But this is good because the competition keeps me focused. When the day comes that it’s time for me to leave, I won’t go with my head down but by playing well, just like Greg [Coupet] did. I don’t know if it will be this season or not. I do know I’m closer to the end of my career than the beginning. It will hurt to leave, so we must be mentally prepared that my career will one day be finished.

LALALALALALALALALA. I’M NOT LISTENING. Juni will be at the club for ever and ever and ever.

I simply cannot imagine Lyon without him. He’s only 33, not 38. I don’t care what he says about not being important anymore, he’s the lifeblood of a team that can’t function without him – and I’m not talking about his free kicks here. Before Juninho came, Lyon were just an average club dreaming of greatness. He changed that. His arrival eight years ago heralded not just a new age for OL but one for all of Ligue 1. He’s simply not replaceable, not in the team and not in our hearts.

I am just not ready for Juni to be talking about his retirement. At all.

Category: Player News and Rumors

Tags: Juninho, Lyon, Player News and Rumors

« Foto: Building Team Spirit | Home | Lyon vs. Le Mans: Or, They Score More Goals Than Us »

Subscribe   The Offside RSS Feeds

Print

Share

Comments  

• Rob |  November 1st, 2008 at 5:19 am

  
  
  

  I’m not a great big follower of Ligue 1, but I do love watching Juninho when I get the chance. Fantastic footballer.

  Posted from United States

  

• alex |  November 1st, 2008 at 5:46 am

  
  
  

  Juni is still one of the most important players for us, Nice game, any1?
  I will not allow him to retire before he has reached 36 and won a champions league, though i still want pjanic and ederson to play more as offensive midfielder.

  Posted from Norway

  

• mikep |  November 1st, 2008 at 11:31 am

  
  
  

  I hope he will retire as a lyonnais player. this year has been amazing for him so far. Basicly all our goals come from his set peaces.

  Posted from United States

  

• Ian |  November 1st, 2008 at 11:43 am

  
  
  

  I DON’T WANT HIM TO RETIRE, HE IS MY FAVORITE PLAYER, JUST READING THIS MAKES ME FEEL SAD, EVERYTIME I SEE HIM PLAY IT INSPIRES ME TO KEEP PLAYING, AND WELL HIS FREE KICKS WHAT CAN I SAY HE IS THE BEST, WE DON’T WANT HIM TO RETIRE, I MEAN NO ONE!!!!!!! IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MY JUNINHO COLLECTION THIS IS THE PAGE juninhocollector.skyrock.com

  Posted from Mexico

  

• Ian |  November 1st, 2008 at 11:44 am

  
  
  

  I DON’T WANT HIM TO RETIRE, HE IS MY FAVORITE PLAYER, JUST READING THIS MAKES ME FEEL SAD, EVERYTIME I SEE HIM PLAY IT INSPIRES ME TO KEEP PLAYING, AND WELL HIS FREE KICKS WHAT CAN I SAY HE IS THE BEST, WE DON’T WANT HIM TO RETIRE, I MEAN NO ONE!!!!!!! IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MY JUNINHO COLLECTION THIS IS THE PAGE juninhocollector.skyrock.com IT WILL UP TODAY IN THE EVENING

  Posted from Mexico

  

• Aditya |  November 2nd, 2008 at 2:29 am

  
  
  

  He said that message just for the fans like you, Inara.

  Posted from United States

  

• ursus arctos |  November 2nd, 2008 at 4:21 am

  
  
  

  He will forever be the player most closely associated with OL’s period of complete dominance of French football.

  Posted from Italy

  

• Ush |  November 2nd, 2008 at 5:27 am

  
  
  

  I think Ederson should be learning from him like crazy on the training ground if he is to become Juni’s successor. He should be hounding Juni for free kick and through ball sessions!

  Posted from United States

  

• Gaston |  November 2nd, 2008 at 6:32 am

  
  
  

  his number should be retired if he goes, the most dedicated lyon player imo

  Posted from United States

  

• Jo |  November 2nd, 2008 at 9:24 am

  
  
  

  Did you know that INCREDIBLE statistics which says that Juni is involved on 40% of all Lyon goals ?
  40% for ONE player ! Do you realize what it means ? it’s just so unbelievable.
  I don’t think one other player in another club can be such important statistically.

  Juni is our God.

  Posted from France

  

• Ronan "The Don" Napier |  November 2nd, 2008 at 10:16 am

  
  
  

  Lyon need to start playing Ederson in Juninhos position,not on the wings,Ederson hasnt really played at all in CM yet,after all thats what he was bought to do replace Juninho in CM,if not play Pjanic there at least.

  Posted from United States

  

Comments are closed