Juninho says the relationship he has with Boro fans is something that will “last forever”.
The Little Fella was brought out on to the pitch before Boro’s draw with Blackburn on Saturday and received a standing ovation from the home faithful.
And Juninho, who was brought to Teesside by Bryan Robson in 1995, admitted his relationship with Boro’s Red Army is something that will never leave him.
“It was special for me coming to Middlesbrough”, he told the club’s website. “I was in Brazil when Bryan (Robson) offered me the contract and it was a totally different situation.
“When I arrived and felt how the people liked me and welcomed me it went straight to my heart and Steve (Gibson) told me he wanted to take Middlesbrough to the centre of the Premier League and become a better club.
“I trusted him and formed a great relationship with the supporters. I miss the Boro fans when I’m in Brazil - the relationship I have with them will last forever.
Juninho enjoyed three spells at Boro, first leaving Teesside for Atletico Madrid after Boro’s relegation from the Premier League in 1997.
But that wasn’t the end of The Little Fella’s flirtation with the club, re-signing on loan for the 1999/2000 season.
And after a short spell on loan in his native Brazil, Juninho’s final chapter at the Riverside was written from 2002 to 2004, winning the Carling Cup under Steve McClaren.
“The time has passed very quickly,” Juninho said. “The memories from my first steps on Teesside are of feeling very welcomed by the supporters because when I first came to the Riverside there were a lot of people.
“I remember my first game against Leeds, memories of the FA Cup final at Wembley and winning the Carling Cup in 2004.”
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