Nice in the 2008–09 season as Lyon were losing 2–0, with his second from 48 yards out. Juninho's free-kick style has been adapted by several other players, such as Andrea Pirlo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Didier Drogba, and Gareth Bale. The knuckle ball free-kick technique takes a significant amount of skill to replicate and strike accurately. In total, Juninho scored at least 75 goals from direct free kicks throughout his professional football career, which spanned from 1993 to 2013. A talented right-footed midfielder, beyond his qualities as a set-piece specialist, Juninho was also known for his skill as an offensive playmaker, and for his ability to produce effective passes, which led him to getting assists on many of his teammates' goals throughout his career. He was also gifted with good technical ability and intelligence, as well as excellent vision and passing range, and powerful and accurate striking ability from distance; furthermore, he drew praise in the media for his tenacity, work-rate, composure under pressure, strong character, and leadership, which saw him serve as club captain both at Lyon and Al-Gharafa. A versatile player, although he usually played as an attacking midfielder, he was also capable of playing as a winger or as a central midfielder. Personal life Juninho is one of the few footballers to publicly speak out against racism in the country, as well as criticize Jair Bolsonaro, the far-right former president of Brazil that assumed office on 1 January 2019. He is a father and a grandfather. Career statistics Club International Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Juninho goal. Honours Sport Recife Campeonato Pernambucano: 1994 Copa do Nordeste: 1994 Vasco da Gama Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 1997, 2000 Campeonato Carioca: 1998 Torneio Rio-São Paulo: 1999 Copa Libertadores: 1998 Copa Mercosur: 2000 Lyon Ligue 1 (7): 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08 Coupe de France: 2007–08 Trophée Des Champions (6) 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Al-Gharafa Qatar Stars League: 2009–10 Qatari Stars Cup: 2009 Qatar Crown Prince Cup: 2010, 2011 Brazil FIFA Confederations Cup: 2005 Toulon Tournament: 1995 Lunar New Year Cup: 2005 Individual Revista Placar Bola de Prata: 2000 UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Month: February 2005, March 2005, October 2006 UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Year: 2005–06 UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06 ESM Team of the Year: 2005–06, 2006–07 Qatar Football Association