AS Juninho lay prone in the Bradford City goalmouth, the familiar beaming smile lit up his face.
His first goal in competitive football after his six-month injury nightmare would not win any marks for artistic impression.
But that mattered not one jot to the World Cup winner: all he cared about was that he had given public confirmation of his return to fitness.
Juninho was flat on his back as he hooked the ball home for Middlesbrough Reserves' fifth goal in last night's thumping victory over a Bradford City team that must have feared the worst when they saw the home teamsheet.
Ugo Ehiogu was back after recovering from a punctured lung and fractured ribs, and a strikeforce of Massimo Maccarone and Szilard Nemeth was a class above their overwhelmed visitors.
But it was Juninho that the Teessiders had turned out to watch, and a bumper reserve crowd of 19,450 cheered every time the prodigal son touched the ball.
The 30-year-old lasted 70 minutes before he was withdrawn from the fray, having shown no sign of the cruciate knee ligament injury that almost ruined his season.
He could now make his first Premiership appearance for almost two years as a substitute against Everton on Saturday or Newcastle United next Wednesday.
The £3.8m midfielder did not appear to suffer any ring-rustiness following his absence, and he survived several heavy challenges unscathed.
Indeed, he even won a tackle in the build-up to Middlesbrough's fourth goal, scored by his compatriot Doriva.
Juninho said: "It feels very good to be playing again. My head never went down while I was out and I've worked more than ever in the last six months.
"My muscles are tired, which is normal, but I'm fully prepared to play on Saturday.
"We'll see what the manager decides to do, and I want to go step by step. But the most important thing is that I'm able to be in the squad."
It took a mere five minutes for Juninho to bring Samba football back to Teesside, curling a 25-yard free-kick against the crossbar with Bradford City goalkeeper Neil Bennett well beaten.
After Maccarone had put Middlesbrough ahead in the 14th minute, Juninho played a huge role in his side extending their advantage.
After spraying a pass out to Nemeth on the right wing, he galloped into the penalty area, where he met the Slovakian's cross with a firm header.
Bennett beat out that effort, but Maccarone was on hand to direct the ball beyond the goalkeeper and into the net for Boro's second after 30 minutes.
Nemeth made it 3-0 two minutes later before Juninho, who could have been excused had he been wary of putting his body on the line last night, set up the fourth.
He regained possession 30 yards from the Bradford goal, and Doriva unleashed a fearsome drive that augurs well for his Riverside future.
Then, in the 43rd minute, came the moment that the crowd had braved a chilly Teesside evening to witness.
Juninho's first effort beat Bennett but ought to have been cleared by Bradford's Michael Simpkins as he challenged the Brazilian.
But the defender failed to make significant contact with the ball and it fell nicely for the grounded Juninho, who swept it home from close range.
There was more to come from Juninho, who demonstrated an encouraging turn of pace early in the second half as he beat one defender before his run was halted illegally.
But he was more subdued after half time, though the goal glut did not cease as Bradford capitulated.
David Murphy headed home a corner, then Maccarone completed his hat-trick and then added his fourth of the night before being substituted.
Stewart Downing made it a scarcely believable 9-0 when, with the crowd calling for a tenth goal, Juninho was given a standing ovation.
In a further boost to Boro, Ehiogu also put himself in line for a first-team return after almost two months out by playing the whole match.
Result: Middlesbrough Reserves 9 0 Bradford City Reserves
Boro: Crossley, Ehiogu, Davies, Murphy, Wilkshire, Wilson, Doriva, Downing, Juninho (Smith 70), Nemeth (Dove 63), Maccarone (Cade 63). Subs (not used): Taylor, Jones (gk).
Bradford City: Bennett, Brodie, Simpkins, Fishlock, Morgan, Wright, Carricondo, Bentham (Penford 80), Ekoku, Welsh (Sanasy 46), Lee (Danks 62). Subs (not used): Beach, Swift
Read more about Middlesbrough here.
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