Birthday Boy of the Month 2: Roque Júnior turns 50

In 2000, Roque Júnior joined the top Italian club AC Milan. During his time in Italy, he established himself at the very highest level in European football and played a key role in the club’s successes. In the 2002/03 season, he won the UEFA Champions League and the Coppa Italia with AC Milan. Particularly noteworthy was his commitment despite an injury, which did not prevent him from supporting his team in crucial matches.

World cup winner with brazil 2002

Roque Júnior also plays a key role in the Brazilian national team. Between 1999 and 2005, he made almost 50 international appearances and was a regular in the Selecção line-up. He celebrated his greatest success at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan. Throughout the tournament, Roque played in all seven matches alongside Bayer 04 player Lucio in central defence and was on the pitch for every minute. He played a decisive role in securing the Selecao’s fifth World Cup title. In the final, Brazil beat Germany 2–0.

move to Bayer 04

Roque Júnior was subsequently loaned out by AC Milan to Leeds United and AC Siena, but did not feature regularly at either club. In 2004, he joined Bayer 04 in the Bundesliga. Roque was under contract with the Werkself for the next three years and he made almost 50 appearances in his first two seasons. He either played alongside Jens Nowotny and Juan in a back three or formed the central defensive partnership with one of them for Bayer 04. The World Cup winner impressed with his strength in challenges, his understanding of the game and the great composure he exuded. In his third year at Bayer 04, he was plagued by various injuries and made just one further appearance. His contract in Leverkusen was not renewed.

In autumn 2007, Roque signed for MSV Duisburg, who were facing the threat of relegation. After four matches for the Zebras, he told the Duisburg officials that he no longer felt mentally capable of playing in the Bundesliga. Although his contract was not terminated, he was no longer included in the MSV Duisburg squad.

After a brief spell with the Qatari football club Al-Rayyan, the defender finally brought his career to an end in 2008 at Palmeiras in Brazil.

executive in football management

Following his playing career, Roque Júnior has focused primarily on roles in management, scouting and youth development. Rather than working permanently as a manager at top-flight clubs, he takes on various roles within the sporting sector. He began his first spell as head coach at EC XV de Piracicaba in 2014, and three years later he briefly took charge of Ituano Futebol Clube.

In addition, Roque Júnior has held several senior positions in football management. From 2013 to 2014, he worked as sporting director at Paraná Clube, where he was responsible for sporting planning. He subsequently worked in youth development and scouting, including for the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and at the Lazio youth academy. Between 2018 and 2019, he served as sporting director at Ferroviária, where he led the club’s football programme. Since 2023, he has been Technical Director and an adviser to the board at the Portuguese club Anadia FC.

Dear Roque, I wish you all the best on your 50th birthday. Stay well and let everyone celebrate with you.