# Juninho (footballer, born December 1990)

Walter Soares Belitardo Júnior (Chinese: 祖連奴; born 11 December 1990), commonly known as Juninho, is a professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for Hong Kong Premier League club Kitchee. Born in Brazil, he plays for the Hong Kong national team.

## Club career
### Sporting de Macau

After terminating his contract with Barretos in 2015 due to low pay and delays in payment, Juninho decided to move to Macau in search of a higher salary. He moved to Macau with the intention of signing a professional contract but due to a misunderstanding as to the professional opportunities in Macau, he was ultimately forced to play as an amateur for Sporting de Macau in order to continue his career.

### Tung Sing

Juninho signed with Hong Kong Premier League club Dreams, then known as Biu Chun Glory Sky, in the summer of 2016. However, as the club later signed additional foreign players, BCGS did not have room on their squad to register him.
Juninho then moved to Tung Sing in September 2016. In his only season with the club, he scored 31 goals in 22 appearances, finishing third in the Golden Boot race.

### Yuen Long

Following the 2016–17 season, Juninho went on trial with HKPL club Rangers but was not signed. A week before the 2017–18 season started, Juninho was signed to Yuen Long.

### Pegasus

On 23 July 2018, it was announced at Pegasus' season opening event that the club had signed Juninho for the 2018–19 campaign.

### Yuen Long

On 8 August 2019, Juninho was loaned to Yuen Long after Pegasus had signed a new foreign player. He rejoined the club after one year.

### Rangers

On 17 October 2020, it was announced that Juninho was signed for Rangers.

### Kitchee

On 12 July 2023, Juninho joined Kitchee.

## International career

On 8 December 2023, it was announced that Juninho had received his HKSAR passport after giving up his Brazilian passport, making him eligible to represent Hong Kong internationally. He was then subsequently called up for the local training camp in preparation of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. On 26 December 2023, he was named in Hong Kong's final squad for the Asian Cup.
On 1 January 2024, Juninho made his international debut for Hong Kong in a friendly match against China.

## Career statistics
### International

    As of 14 December 2024
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Hong Kong | 2024 | 14 | 2 |
| Total | Total | 14 | 2 |
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Competition |
| 2024 ||||||
| 1 | 1 January 2024 | Baniyas Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | China | 2–1 | Friendly |
| 2 | 23 January 2024 | Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar | Palestine | 0–3 | 2023 AFC Asian Cup |
| 3 | 21 March 2024 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong | Uzbekistan | 0–2 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round |
| 4 | 26 March 2024 | Milliy Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan | Uzbekistan | 0–3 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round |
| 5 | 6 June 2024 | Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong | Iran | 2–4 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round |
| 6 | 11 June 2024 | Ashgabat Stadium, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan | Turkmenistan | 0–0 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round |
| 7 | 5 September 2024 | HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, Fiji | Solomon Islands | 3–0 | Friendly |
| 8 | 8 September 2024 | Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji | Fiji | 1–1 | Friendly |
| 9 | 10 October 2024 | Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein | Liechtenstein | 0–1 | Friendly |
| 10 | 15 October 2024 | Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong | Cambodia | 3–0 | Friendly |

### International goals

| No. | Date | Cap | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1. | 5 September 2024 | 7 | HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, Fiji | Solomon Islands | 1–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |
| 2. | 15 October 2024 | 10 | Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong | Cambodia | 3–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |

## Honours
### Club

Yuen Long
* Hong Kong Senior Shield: 2017–18
Kitchee
* Hong Kong Senior Shield: 2023–24