After retiring from playing and receiving a series of tributes from Flamengo, former player Juan returned to Gávea this Wednesday to receive the highest honor in the State of Rio de Janeiro: the Pedro Ernesto Medal, the government's highest honor for outstanding citizens in Brazilian or international society. In the presence of President Rodolfo Landim, Vice Governor Cláudio Castro, and Councilman and President of the Rio City Council Sports Committee, Felipe Michel, the former defender was moved and said he was honored to be part of this select group of honorees.

"Thank you so much for all the kind words and tributes you're giving me. I feel very honored and happy about all of this. This isn't just a tribute for what I did on the field, but for my behavior off it. There was no better place to receive this tribute than here at Gávea, within the club that has always been my second home, an extension of what my parents taught me within the family environment," Juan emphasizes.

President Rodolfo Landim, who received the award for honorary citizen of Rio de Janeiro at the ceremony, highlighted in his speech Juan's importance to Flamengo's history and confirmed that the former defender will begin an internship and work at the club in the coming months.  

"It's a great pleasure to participate in this ceremony honoring Juan. I once won the Pedro Ernesto medal and was deeply moved. It gives me great satisfaction to be here and be part of this tribute to Juan, a player who has a strong connection with the Red-Black Nation. Throughout your career, you captivated the fans with your many years of dedication to the club. Flamengo makes a star at home, and you were a homegrown star. You performed brilliantly, not only on the field but also as a professional off the field. It gives me great satisfaction to continue counting on you at the club. I can only thank you for everything you did for the club and congratulate Councilman Felipe Michel. The Nation is giving you a standing ovation," said Landim.

Cláudio Castro, Vice-Governor of Rio de Janeiro, also highlighted Juan's important role in society.

"In the past, the person who received a medal like this was known as a commander, so you are a commander today, that is, someone who serves as an example. Make someone who serves as an example for the city a commander. Someone who overcame difficulties, achieved through hard work and sweat, serving as an example. None of us will be here, and your legacy will echo everywhere," he states.

Councilman and author of the tribute, Felipe Michel spoke about his playing days, where he worked with Juan, and highlighted the former player's character throughout his journey as an athlete.

"I'm very moved. I spent my life here at Flamengo. My dreams, my development, were shaped by Flamengo. There's no better person to symbolize my story, these teammates who played here, than Juan. He's an example of character, of professionalism," he said.