Juninho predicts bright future for Downing

Brazilian World Cup winner Juninho has tipped Middlesbrough’s Stewart Downing to become one of the best players in England.

The 21-year-old winger is currently battling back from knee surgery and hopes to return in January to stake a claim for his place in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s squad for Germany next summer.

That would give him the chance to shine on the world stage after receiving international recognition for his performances for his home-town club last season.

Juninho knows all about one of the biggest talents to come out of the club’s youth set-up in recent seasons from his third and last spell with Boro, and is convinced he can go all the way.

“Before I came to Middlesbrough for a third time, I’d heard about Stewie,” he says in an interview from his Sao Paolo home for the new Boro book Riverside X. “I knew he was going to become a very good player, and my opinion didn’t alter when I saw him in the flesh.

“There have been people like Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Steve McManaman. They have all become great players, and Stewart Downing can follow them.

“People talk about players with ability. They believe in them. He’s got a great chance to be one of the best.”

Downing was forced into the operating theatre just four games into his season after the knee cartilage he damaged in America with England during the summer continued to trouble him.

Further tests revealed more serious damage and the necessity for an operation, but although the lay-off has hit both Downing and his club hard, Juninho is confident he will return to his best.

“In England, it’s not normal to see boys with very good technical ability performing at the highest level,” he said. “He has these attributes and it will not be long before he’s back on the pitch.”