Why Junior Could Never Have A Great Run Despite Winning World Cup

Jenilson Angelo de Souza, better known simply as Junior, was a back-up to the legendary Roberto Carlos at the 2002 World cup. The Brazilian full-back won 22 caps for his nation as Carlos’s deputy.

Renowned for his pace and stamina, Junior had all the Brazilian flair, yet his defending was not very good. In 2002, the attacking full-back was the part of a Parma defence, containing the likes of Fabio Cannavaro and Lilian Thuram. That may have played a part in Junior’s selection for the national team as his defensive incapabilities were masked by these legendary defenders.

Junior, in general, had a decent world cup and also scored against Costa Rica during the group stage. All in all, he had a successful stint with the national team, having also been part of the squads that won the 2001 Copa America and 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *