Juan Jaimez Junior

A Brazilian footballer, with a Spanish citizenship as well, Juan Maldonado Jaimex Junior, naturally began playing football in the youth division of Sao Paulo FC, in 1998. He remained there till 2000, after which he turned pro with the same club. But Jaimez remained there for only one season, after which he was picked up English giants, Arsenal, in 2001. The defender only made two appearances with the first team, the first being against Grimsby Town, which was during the League Cup.

In 2002, Jaimez was loaned out to Millwall, but after just three appearances with the first team, he returned to Brazil, to join Fluminense FC for one season, after which he moved to his current club, Club de Regatas do Flamengo, in 2006. He has made over 130 appearances with the team, and has scored 19 goals so far. During his appearance in the final of the Brazil Cup, which was against Vasco, Jaimez scored an important goal, bagging himself the ‘Man of the Match’ title.

In 2008, impressed by his almost consistent performance, Jaimez received a call to join the Brazilian national team, and he played to two matches with the team, against Bolivia and Chile, in the qualifiers for the World Cup 2010. Some of his top honors include, the Taza Guanabara title in 2005 and the Rio de Janeiro State League title, the same year, both while he was with Fluminense, and then the Brazilian Cup in 2006, the Taca Guanabara in 2007 and 2008 as well as the Rio de Janeiro State League title in 2007 and 2008, while with Flamengo. Jaimes was also awarded the Bola de Prata, for best left back of the Brazilian League 2008.