Week 21 of the 2004/05 campaign. The game was goalless and there were just six minutes remaining when the referee blew for a foul on Lyon striker Nilmar on the edge of the penalty area. The Metz players protested furiously, not only because they felt the decision was harsh, but also because they knew how dangerous the situation was.

Moments later, they had their heads in their hands, Grégory Wimbée was picking the ball out of his net, and Juninho was celebrating yet another free-kick goal.

That strike was his 14th free-kick goal since moving to France from Vasco da Gama in 2001. “The most important thing was that it helped us get three more points,” the Brazil international said. “I’ve scored three free kicks this season. I think I got five in each of the last two seasons, so I’m on course to equal that.”

He did far better than equal that. In an extraordinary season, Juninho seemed to add to his free-kick tally almost every week after Christmas - with the two sensational free kicks against Toulouse and another 35-yarder against Werder Bremen in the Champions' League the clear highlights.

Juninho has also set up a bag of goals from dead-ball situations during his Lyon career, but is keen to point out that his game is not only about free kicks.

“I wouldn’t describe myself as a free-kick specialist,” he said. “I do my best to profit from certain situations but there’s far more to my game than free kicks. My technique is my best quality but I also work hard for the team when we haven’t got possession.”