Middlesbrough cult hero Juninho Paulista has been hailed for his role in bringing through Arsenal summer signing Gabriel Martinelli.
The 46-year-old, now President of FC Ituano, the club where he came through as a youngster and ended his career as a professional, set down the standards for what the team should be looking for in the next generation.
Coming up through the ranks, the young Martinelli was initially thought to be underdeveloped physically, and may have been overlooked by other clubs unwilling to gamble on his talent.
Fortunately for the teenager, Juninho encouraged his staff to put technique ahead of physique while other Brazilian clubs have turned to strength and height in their pursuit of homegrown talent.
In an , Martinelli's former coach Luiz Antonio told credited the retired playmaker and freekick specialist for the values he put in place as Director at the club.
Watch Arsenal's new signing Gabriel Martinelli, courtesy of MyCujoo .
"We look at the quality and technique," he said. "There are clubs in Brazil that prefer strong, tall boys. But not us.
"Our former director, Juninho Paulista, was one of the greatest Brazilian players – and look at the size of him!
"He was an idol at Middlesbrough. So Juninho always told us, 'First, it's technique and ability.'"
The five-foot-six former midfielder also counseled Martinelli to stay at Ituano, rather than moving to another Brazilian club - advice that ultimately won the youngster a move to Arsenal.
Juninho made 152 appearances for Boro across three spells in north Yorkshire. He scored 32 goals, was named Premier League Player of the Year for 1997 and lifted the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 before winning the League Cup in 2004.
If Martinelli can come close to achieving a fraction of that success at Arsenal he would become a hero to the Emirates faithful.
The teenager opened his account against Major League Soccer franchise Colorado Rapids in the first match of the Gunners' USA tour, adding the third in a 3-0 win.
