Juninho calls for old Brazil stars to retire
July 3, 2006
Juninho waving at someone as if to
visually illustrate his retiring from
international football
“The national team is over for me and those of us over 30 have to leave a place for the younger players to make a new team for 2010.
“We have to think about the young guys and build up another team.”
Brazil stars such as Roberto Carlos, Cafu, Gilberto, Emerson, Ze Roberto, Ricardinho and keepers Dida and Rogerio Ceni are all the wrong side of 30.
The reigning world champions went out of the competition with a whimper to a France team that was criticised in its own country for having too many old players.
However, Juninho added: “There is total sadness but this is not the time to appoint blame, we all lost.”
First, let me say: Gilberto is actually 29. He has a good THREE MONTHS left before he hits the 30 mile stone. That’s AGES. Gilberto is VERY YOUNG, and will be staying in the Brazil international side for a long time to come… I hope.