'Scolari is the perfect choice for Brazil' - Juninho

Dec 7, 2012 9:00:00 PM

The 2002 World Cup winner believes the former Chelsea boss is the right man for the job while he also tipped Lionel Messi to win his fourth Ballon d'Or ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo

Juninho Paulista backed his former coach Luiz Felipe Scolari to lead the Selecao back to glory at the 2014 World Cup to be held in Brazil.

The 39-year-old won the prestigious trophy 10 years back under Scolari and believes that he has all the credentials to be successful again.

"Scolari is the perfect choice to manage Brazil. The national team is not as good as it was before. He and [Carlos Alberto] Parreira are brilliant coaches. He has already won the World Cup once and I’m sure he would turn the team around,” Juninho told Goal.com.

"Whenever the national team plays, there is a lot of pressure on the players. Now that the World Cup is at home, there is even more pressure on the players. So it will be difficult for them."

The former Middlesbrough player stated that Lionel Messi is the front runner to win the Fifa Ballon d'Or award but reminded the fans not to forget the importance of his team-mates at Barcelona.

“Messi is the best player in the world now and he can easily win a fourth Ballon d’Or. However you must also remember the immense contribution in his effectiveness by the likes of Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta and his other Barcelona team-mates."

Juninho further mentioned that the Brazilians would give a warm welcome to the Argentine at the World Cup except when he comes up against the Selecao.

He added: "Brazilian people like ball players and goal scorers. If he [Lionel Messi] plays well, which he should, he will obviously be liked. However he will be less liked when he comes up against our national team!"

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