CARSON, Calif. -- Juninho no longer dons the No. 19 jersey for the LA Galaxy, but the memories that the Brazilian midfielder made during his time with the club will last forever.
The 27-year-old was honored during pregame of the Galaxy's preseason scoreless draw with Juninho's new side Club Tijuana. Juninho waved farewell to his former supporters before the match as a tribute video played on Galaxy TV.
“It’s an amazing feeling that I’m feeling right now. I’ve been here for a long time, and now I’m coming here in a different situation,” Juninho told LAGalaxy.com. “It’s very good for a foreigner who came from Brazil years ago to have all that respect right now.
"To know that I received this reception is an amazing feeling, and I’m glad to have reached all that. Now I want to continue to grow as a player.”
Juninho's growth is clearly evident based on his recent form for Tijuana. After missing the club's first Liga MX match, the Brazilian midfielder has made four league appearances with two starts and a goal.
Although he may no longer play for the Galaxy, Juninho is keenly aware that he will always be part of the Galaxy family.
"The LA Galaxy are always going to be in my heart. It doesn’t matter if I’m in Mexico or anywhere else; the Galaxy will always be in my heart," Juninho said. "I went to work for this club for many years, and now I feel like this city has my respect. I feel grateful for that."
