“I've never been so happy in my professional life."

You get the sense it's as much relief for Henrique as anything else. They're the words of someone who knows they were on the brink. 

After stuttering through spells at Malay Super League side Negeri Sembilan, Thai League T1 sides Chiangrai United and Jumpasri United, and Iranian club Gostaresh Foulad, it's no surprise Henrique wants stability. 

It's not that he's lacking talent - three A-League Championships, two Premierships, five finals-series goals and 150 A-League appearances speak for themselves. Henrique deserves his special place in the heart of Roar fans, just as Roar fans deserve a feel-good story this season.

But there are question-marks lingering over his return. Three strikes in 13 appearances for Adelaide United during his last A-League venture hardly breeds confidence.

It's hard to shake the feeling - despite the Brazilian's positivity - that many other A-League clubs would have taken him. But now, that's irrelevant history. He has a chance to repay John Aloisi's faith and prove the doubters wrong.

“Coming back here to this environment with these people in this club for me was really special, and I won’t take it for granted," Henrique told a-league.com.au

“At the moment, every time I come here I enjoy it so I hope I can do that for a long period of time.

“First I want to get in the finals and help my teammates, so I’m not thinking about next year yet, but my aim is to stay here for as long as possible."

He kicked off his Roar-return against Newcastle Jets last weekend, earning a respectable 18 minutes off the bench - it's the only competitive game-time he's had in over nine months. 

It won't be his last. After the departure of Petros Skapetis earlier in the season, the age of Massimo Maccarone came into focus for Aloisi's side.

The hardy Italian was always going to struggle as a sole focal point in Brisbane's attack and the Roar's chronic injury issues weren't helping his cause. The stage was set for a return that always looked on the cards.

After all, Aloisi's got a soft spot for the oldies.

“I feel great during training, it’s been going to another level, which is good,” he said. “The boys have helped me very well, I feel good to be back playing in the A-League.

“Last week was my first game in a while so I only played 20 minutes. My last competitive game was June last year, before last weekend, but I played in the preseason.

“For me, the real battle is improving every training session, pushing in every game, and improving a little bit day by day.

“I’m a little bit out of shape so I need to improve my game fitness.”

Apart from the sprints, the next challenge on Henrique's horizon is his former club, Adelaide United. Shaking off the cobwebs and perhaps a few bad memories at the Reds is well-within the forward's sights. 

“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

“The boys in Adelaide welcomed me very well, and I’m looking forward to another game.”