Juninho Retires, Others To Follow

Filed in archive World Cup 2006 on July 2, 2006

image: football.co.uk

Brazil's Juninho Pernambucano has retired from international football after their 1-0 defeat to France. Possibly the most heavily fancied team of all time failed to impress at World Cup 2006, and 31 year old Juninho believes it's time to let the next generation have a go.

"We have to think about young guys and build-up another team," he said. "All the ones who are more than 30 have to leave their place to the younger players, to make a new team for 2010."

More than likely, the two famous fullbacks will be next to announce their retirement from the Selecao. Many felt that Cafu and Roberto Carlos lacked the pace to get up and down the touchline as in days gone by, and that was more or less confirmed in Germany. With the likes of Cicinho all set to take over marauding duties, Brazil have nothing to worry about for the future.