Football: Seven-time French champion Juninho retires
Juninho, who has not played since injuring his right thigh in November, has retired from football.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) - Juninho, the Brazilian midfielder who won seven consecutive French league titles with Lyon, has retired from football on Thursday, his 39th birthday.
Roberto Dinamite, president of his present club, Vasco da Gama, told local media: "I want to confirm Juninho Pernambucano s decision.
"We talked and he decided to end his career, he ll give a press conference on Monday," said Dinamite.
Juninho, who has not played since injuring his right thigh in November, was a noted set-piece specialist, scoring 100 goals for Lyon, whom he captained.
He was part of the Brazil team that made it through to the quarter-finals of the 2006 World Cup.
Juninho left Lyon, French champions between 2001 and 2008, for a two year spell in Qatar, a brief period with MLS side Red Bulls New York before returning to Brazil to Vasco da Gama, the club where his career began.
