Who was Cristiano Junior, East Bengal's saviour in 2003?

The talented Brazilian’s career was tragically short-lived yet instrumental to his employers in India. 

East Bengal and Dempo FC fan-favourite Cristiano Sebastião de Lima Júnior (Cristiano Junior), was a sight to behold in 2003. After spending his initial days on the fringes of the Brazilian League, he was scouted by the Torch Bearers. Cristiano had spells at Brasilia, Vasco Da Gama, and America (RN) before moving to India. However, a tragedy befell him in only his second season, bringing his blooming career to a disheartening halt.

Promising glimpses of a world-class marquee player

Júnior, who became the highest-paid footballer in India with Dempo, started off his Indian chapter at Kolkata's East Bengal FC. The highly-skilled centre-forward announced himself with a stellar season for the Red and Gold Brigade. In an interview, his coach at the time, Subhash Bhowmick, breathed a sigh of relief while stating, “My job was at stake. Junior proved to be my saviour.” Bhowmick further reminisced, “ He might be ordinary for 89 minutes and 30 seconds. But in the remaining 30 seconds, he will get you a goal. He was like a cheetah on the hunt. Junior could smell goals.”

His prowess was not exactly that of a graceful, eye-pleasing clinical striker. It had more of a ragged score-by-hook-or-crook essence. Junior, as his former coach mentioned, had an eye for tucking the ball into the net. That created for him a fearful partnership with East Bengal legend and Sikkimese Sniper Bhaichung Bhutia. He himself scored a total of 15 goals in 18 games winning the Golden Boot en route to the title, while the former Indian captain scored 12. Junior also scored six times during their crucial Durand Cup and AFC Cup runs. In doing so, he etched himself as a name to remember among East Bengal fans.   

An untimely departure

Shy in nature, Júnior actually had problems conversing in English. It was one of the many reasons the Brazilian sought a move to Goa. The Portuguese influence and the churches seemingly appealed to him and gave him a feeling of home. Here, too, the prodigious attacker scaled heights immediately, scoring five times in four appearances. It was in the Federation Cup that tragedy struck.

He set the competition on fire and scored Dempo’s second goal in the final. In the process, however, he collided with Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Subrata Pal in the 78th minute, staggered away, and then collapsed to the ground. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. He was sadly announced dead on arrival at the Hosmat Hospital. Reports stated that the footballer died because of a heart stroke.

Dempo went on to win their only Federation Cup but did not celebrate as a mark of respect and even announced that they would retire Júnior's #10 shirt. At only 25 years old, the boy from Brasilia departed, breaking the hearts of thousands but leaving them with a treasure trove of memories.