Juninho X! Ex-Flamengo star laughs off quirky nickname row | OneFootball

Pumas (MEX) Striker, Juninho Became Famous for a Curious Nickname at Flamengo

Juninho left Flamengo. Even with only four goals, the now Pumas (MEX) striker won over the fans due to the very curious nickname he received because of his celebrations. The athlete enjoys the topic and prefers not to pick a fight with the fans.

— I already celebrated goals this way. But you know how Brazilian football is, with its playful side. And, like it or not, it's important. It's part of it, the spectacle. The biggest fanbase in our country and, maybe, in the world creates a loving nickname (makes air quotes with his hand). I think it's affectionate, I didn't take it the wrong way. It's what they want to call it, they called it, and I don't mind —, said Juninho.

— Obviously, the celebration is for my family, the Vieira. So it's for me, I know what my celebration means. But if the fans created this – and teasing is normal in football, especially in our Brazilian football – and if it's something that makes them happy and they find it funny, that makes me recognizable, what can I do? Am I going to fight with, I don't know, 50 million, 45 million? No, it won't be me (laughs). So, let them tease all they want —, added the player, to GE.

WHAT WAS JUNINHO'S CELEBRATION LIKE?

In the goals scored, Juninho makes the ‘V’. At the beginning of his time at Flamengo, the striker said it was for his wife, Vivian. Later, after the relationship ended, the athlete stated it was for the ‘Vieira Family’. However, the fans had another interpretation.

In a humorous way, Juninho started being called “Xer…”. The nickname caught on externally and also internally, as fellow players began calling the striker by the unusual name. However, his time at Flamengo lasted less than a year, and the athlete left for 5 million euros (R$ 32.3 million).

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.