Juninho Pernambucano retires

Former Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Juninho Pernambucano has retired from football on his 39th birthday.

Roberto Dinamite, president of his present club, Vasco da Gama, told local media: “I want to confirmJuninho Pernambucano's decision.

“We talked and he decided to end his career. He will give a press conference on Monday.”

Juninho, who is known as one of the greatest ever free kick takers won seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles with Lyon, scoring 100 over goals in the process.

He  left the french giants  for a two-year spell in Qatar and had a brief period with Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls.