Anderson Luís de Souza ( bear 27 August 1977 ), known as Deco ( portuguese pronunciation : [ ˈdɛku ] ), is a Brazilian-born portuguese sports agent and retired professional football player who primarily played as an attack or central midfielder. After an celebrated play career he started D20 Sports, an agency that specializes in managing brazilian and portuguese footballers. Deco is regarded as one of the best players of his genesis. [ 2 ]
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Deco is one of the few players to have won the UEFA Champions League with two clubs, with Porto in 2004 and Barcelona in 2006. He was named UEFA Club Footballer of the class and UEFA Best Midfielder in Porto ‘s Champions League-winning season and was named Man of the Match in the 2004 UEFA Champions League Final. Deco was the first player to win the UEFA Best Midfielder Award with two clubs, Porto and Barcelona. He was awarded the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball and the Man of the Match prize in the final despite losing to Internacional. Born and raised in Brazil, Deco received portuguese citizenship in 2002 having completed five years of portuguese residence, and subsequently opted to play internationally for the Portugal national team. He earned 75 caps for them, playing at two UEFA european Championships and two FIFA World Cups, reaching the final of Euro 2004, and achieving a fourth-place finish at the 2006 World Cup .
Club career [edit ]
early career [edit ]
Born in São Bernardo do Campo, Deco spent meter at Corinthians as a child, competing in the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior for them. In the 1997 edition, Benfica sent Toni to scout the tournament, and he soon noticed Deco, recommending his sign language. [ 3 ] In June 1997, Benfica purchased his rights from CSA and immediately sent him on loan ( along with colleague brazilian Caju ) to their farm team, Alverca. [ 3 ] [ 4 ] After helping them win promotion to the top tier in 1997–98 season by scoring 13 goals in 32 appearances, he returned to Benfica in July 1998. however, he left for Salgueiros in rally for Nandinho, who went in the opposite focus. [ 3 ] When asked by Nuno Gomes in an interview for FourFourTwo why he did not stay and become a caption at Benfica, Deco said, “ Benfica decided, it was n’t my decisiveness. They did n’t want me. The coach was Graeme Souness at the time. I was new and Benfica needed some players. ” [ 5 ] At Salgueiros, Deco was plagued by injuries and merely made a few appearances, until Porto purchased him in March 1999, in time to win the league title. [ 6 ] His unblock from Benfica and subsequent achiever with Porto was considered by António Simões as an “ historical error ”, while Toni stated he saw in Deco, a successor for Rui Costa the club needed since his deviation. [ 3 ]
porto [edit ]
In his first base season with Porto, Deco scored a goal after just 30.08 seconds in a 1–0 away win against Molde in the 1999–2000 UEFA Champions League. [ 7 ] Under the steering of director José Mourinho, Deco was given the function of leading an ambitious Porto team. A key visualize in the 2002–03 season, he scored 10 goals in 30 matches and received 17 yellow cards and 1 red card. Deco was one of the key players in Porto ‘s UEFA Cup final 3–2 succeed over Celtic that year. In the 2003–04 season, Deco helped Porto recapture the national title and led the team to the 2004 UEFA Champions League Final, in which Porto won 3–0 over Monaco, scoring the second goal of the catch. He was the UEFA Champions League ‘s top assist supplier and besides suffered the most foul in the Champions League that season. That season, Deco besides won the UEFA Club Footballer of the year angstrom well as the award for the best midfielder in the contest .
Barcelona [edit ]
On 17 June 2004, Deco told a portuguese radio place he would about surely join English side Chelsea ( then coached by José Mourinho ) following UEFA Euro 2004. He said a transfer deal between Porto and Chelsea had been all but finalised, and that the only remaining steps were passing a physical examen and signing a courtly shrink with Chelsea. [ citation needed ] however, on 26 June 2004, Deco told the portuguese sports daily O Jogo he would rather move to Barcelona than follow Mourinho to Chelsea. While Bayern Munich gave up on Deco after the Chelsea deal seemed to have been concluded, it was still uncertain whether the german side would make a new bid. The best offer at that time was a €21 million wish from Barça, but this digit was calm €4 million short of the request by Porto ‘s board of directors. portuguese newspapers then reported Barça would try to offer portuguese winger Ricardo Quaresma as separate of the exchange in order to ease the deal. [ citation needed ] ultimately, a deal was achieved between Porto and Barcelona the day after the Euro 2004 final examination. Barcelona agreed on a €15 million fee in cash, plus the complete rights of Quaresma to Porto, which tagged Quaresma for €6 million. [ 8 ] Deco signed a four-year conduct with the Catalan side on 6 July 2004. In Barcelona, some suggested Deco would be wholly eclipsed by brazilian star Ronaldinho ( a couple that according to Luiz Felipe Scolari “ can make rain fall ” ). indeed, many Barcelona fans met the transmit with raised eyebrows, as Deco was considered an attacking midfielder, a department which was already well covered. alternatively, coach Frank Rijkaard used him in a three-man midfield, where his tactical cognition, passing abilities and enormous work rate surprised many. In December 2004, he came moment in France Football’ second Ballon d’Or 2004 award, losing to Andriy Shevchenko and beating teammate Ronaldinho by six votes. On 14 May 2005, Deco played in the draw against Levante, which gave Barcelona their 17th La Liga championship. He besides was named Barcelona ‘s player of the temper in the 2005–06 season. Deco scored doubly in the 2006 Supercopa de España, which Barça won. [ 9 ] Deco won the UEFA Best Midfielder Award yet again for his operation in Barça ‘s UEFA Champions League-winning season, enabling him to join the single group of players that have won the same award more than once with different teams, having won the Champions League previously with Porto. He was besides awarded the Golden Ball at the FIFA Club World Cup and the Man of the Match award, despite losing the final to Internacional. [ 10 ]
Chelsea [edit ]
On 30 June 2008, Chelsea signed Deco from Barcelona on a three-year contract for €10 million ( £8 million ). [ 11 ] [ 12 ] He was the first sign of new Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who was once the oral sex coach of the Portugal National Football Team. Deco scored on his Chelsea debut and his Premier League introduction with a 30-yard goal in a 4–0 victory over Portsmouth. Deco followed up his performance by scoring in his second base game for Chelsea, a curling free-kick against Wigan Athletic. These performances led to him winning the Premier League Player of the Month award for August. Deco made his UEFA Champions League debut for Chelsea on 16 September. Deco injured himself during a discipline session, but he returned from the thigh injury on 19 October and came on as a utility against Middlesbrough. He was sent off in the 3–1 get the better of by Roma on 4 November 2008. He then scored a bicycle complain against Bolton Wanderers on 6 December .
Deco in carry through in August 2008 Deco finally lost his place in the 2008–09 starting line astir, due in depart to some poor people performances, but besides to the sack of Scolari. In a June interview, Deco said, “ I do not want to stay. I have not liked my know at Chelsea. ” This was soon followed by Internazionale, managed by early Chelsea director José Mourinho, declaring Inter was attempting to sign Deco along with fellow countryman Ricardo Carvalho, who had besides declared his desire to leave and, like Deco, desired to link-up with Mourinho again. Both players previously played under Mourinho at Porto. [ 13 ] however, Inter baseball club president of the united states Massimo Moratti ruled out signing either of the portuguese internationals on the basis of their historic period, telling Gazzetta dello Sport, “ Deco and Carvalho ? They are two champions but at this time I do n’t feel there ‘s a indigence to buy them. ” [ 14 ] Soon after, Deco said he would be volition to stay at Chelsea for at least the remainder of his contract, but he said things must change from his first gear season there. [ citation needed ]
After talks with newly Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti, Deco said he was very happy at the club and wanted to show everyone what he could do. He started on the bench in the 2009 FA Community Shield against Manchester United. Deco himself stepped up to take the acquire punishment for Chelsea, but was not allowed as Salomon Kalou was placed before him on the list handed to the referee. Deco had an excellent start to the new campaign. He came on as a second-half stand-in in the first catch of the newfangled season for Chelsea against Hull City and assisted Didier Drogba, who scored in injury clock time. [ citation needed ] Deco scored in the adjacent peer with a 3–1 win over Sunderland with a knock-down right-footed injection which came off the at heart of the military post from outside of the punishment area. He made his hundredth UEFA Champions League appearance against Atlético Madrid, joining only 13 other players to have achieved as many appearances. Deco scored his second finish of the temper in a League Cup link against Bolton Wanderers with a blast from 16 yards into the bottomland right corner of the finish. He added to his goal run the very following match, again against Bolton, with a curling left-footer from inside the penalty box. [ citation needed ] Deco was a consistent player for Chelsea throughout the fall period but injuries halted his season throughout the Christmas menstruation. He returned in games against Preston North End, Hull City and Birmingham City, but then incurred another injury. Deco made his foremost start after injury in the 5–0 winnings away at Portsmouth, and his header forward set up Didier Drogba for Chelsea ‘s first finish. Deco gave an impressive display in Chelsea ‘s 7–1 acquire over Aston Villa, creating chances for his teammates and helping Chelsea ‘s midfield run. He provided a key run for Chelsea ‘s third finish of the match, skillfully working past a Villa defender and playing a apt ball with the outside of his good foot to Yuri Zhirkov, whose crabbed fell to Florent Malouda, who scored. [ citation needed ] Deco started in Chelsea ‘s likely entitle decider against Manchester United at Old Trafford aboard colleague midfielders Frank Lampard and Mikel John Obi. He made several accurate passes to advancing teammates and besides provided a key delivery to Malouda, who set up Joe Cole for the opening finish in Chelsea ‘s 2–1 succeed. He played an instrumental character in helping Chelsea win the Double in 2009–10, winning his first Premier League deed and his consecutive FA Cup winners ‘ decoration .
Fluminense [edit ]
On 6 August 2010, Deco signed a biennial contract with brazilian club Fluminense on a free transfer, [ 15 ] joining erstwhile Chelsea and Barcelona teammate Juliano Belletti. [ 16 ] On 26 August 2013, Deco retired, ending a 17-year career. The decision came on the day before his 36th birthday. His final match was four days anterior, against Goiás. [ 17 ] Playing for Fluminense, Deco won the Campeonato Brasileiro in 2010 and 2012. Deco besides failed a drug test during his arrest with Fluminense. In 2014, it was found that the result may have been due to a false cocksure or the contamination of the container of the urine sample. The brazilian Football Confederation and Deco agreed to settle the encase, and Deco was found not guilty of doping. [ 18 ]
International career [edit ]
Deco playing for Portugal against Denmark in 2008. Deco was never called up to the Brazil national team, as the Brazil team for the 2002 FIFA World Cup included early attacking midfielders such as Ronaldinho, Rivaldo and Juninho. After completing six years of residency in Portugal, he was able to gain portuguese citizenship and play for their national team. As none of his great-grandparents, grandparents or parents were portuguese, under FIFA ‘s player eligibility rules his citizenship was the merely factor to allow him to play for Portugal. He was subsequently mentioned several times in the media as an option for the Portugal national team.
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After many months of public discussion which split Portuguese public opinion, and despite the confrontation of a boastfully number of Porto rivals ‘ supporters, he was called up for his first external, coincidentally against Brazil. He came on as a substitute for Sérgio Conceição and scored the free-kick which won the match 2–1. [ 19 ] This was Portugal ‘s first win over Brazil since the 1966 FIFA World Cup. Since that peer, he became a even in the national team. Before UEFA Euro 2004, Luís Figo criticised Deco ‘s inclusion [ 20 ] and said, “ Se você nasceu chinês, bem, você tem que jogar pela China. ” ( english : “ If you ‘re born chinese, well, you have to play for China. ” ) Deco responded, “ Eu nasci no Brasil e seria uma mentira dizer que sou português agora vitamin e não brasileiro. Mas amo Portugal east adoro jogar pela seleção. ” ( english : ” I was born in Brazil and it would be a lie to say that I ‘m portuguese now and not brazilian. But I love Portugal and I love playing for the national team. ” ) Despite the early criticism, Deco was one of the highlights of the Portugal national team. He scored 5 goals in 75 caps for Portugal by June 2010, when his international career ended after the second-round defeat to Spain at the 2010 World Cup .
2006 World Cup [edit ]
In the 2006 World Cup, Deco scored the first goal in Portugal ‘s second base Group D match against Iran in the 63rd minute anterior to Cristiano Ronaldo ‘s 80th-minute punishment. During the foremost smasher phase of the contest, Deco received two yellow cards in the couple against the Netherlands with the first given for a rash undertake on John Heitinga, suspending him from the quarter-final acquire against England, as he had already picked up a circumspection in the match with Iran. The gain against England in the quarter-final stagecoach led to Portugal ‘s get the better of in the semi-final, which Deco was able to participate in .
euro 2008 [edit ]
On 11 June, Deco scored the opening finish in Portugal ‘s second meet of Euro 2008, a Group A clash with the Czech Republic. The match ended 3–1 to Portugal, with Deco aiding his team in their passage to the quarter-finals where Portugal ‘s political campaign came to an end against Germany, the eventual runner-up of the tournament. In February 2010, Deco announced he would be retiring from international football after the 2010 World Cup. [ 21 ]
2010 World Cup [edit ]
Deco played for Portugal in their opening plot against the Ivory Coast. During the match, he was injured and was ruled out of the remaining two group matches, against North Korea and Brazil. He was burst again for the round off of 16 pit against Spain, but Portugal head coach Carlos Queiroz chose Tiago over Deco. Deco retired from international football with 75 caps and 5 goals .
style of bid [edit ]
Deco was a versatile, tactically intelligent and creative midfielder with excellent imagination and technical ability. [ 22 ] [ 23 ] A generous and hard-working team-player, he was capable of playing in several midfield positions. He was initially deployed as a central midfielder under director José Mourinho during his time with Porto, although he was besides capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, as a deep-lying playmaker or as a winger on either flank. [ 24 ] Although he lacked pace angstrom well as noteworthy physical, defensive and acrobatic attributes, [ 24 ] [ 25 ] he possessed good stamina, a well as excellent testis control, dribbling skills, passing stove and crossing ability, which allowed him to beat players, find space and create chances for teammates. [ 26 ] [ 27 ] [ 28 ] A diminutive midfielder, [ 29 ] in belated years, as he lost his acceleration, agility and mobility, he besides underwent a physical development, which, along with his remainder, enabled him to protect the testis against larger opponents. In addition to his creative duties, Deco was besides able of contributing offensively with casual goals due to his accurate mid-range shooting ability, [ 30 ] and his adeptness at free-kicks. [ 31 ] Despite his talent, Deco was besides known to be injury-prone and inconsistent at times, and was besides accused of drifting in and out of matches. furthermore, his work-rate and seaworthiness were much brought into question in his late career. [ 25 ] [ 29 ] [ 32 ] Deco was besides well known for his tendency to commit tactical foul, [ 27 ] and he was accused of diving throughout his career. [ 28 ]
personal life [edit ]
When Deco started his european career in 1997, his inaugural wife Cila, whom he had met three years earlier, moved to Portugal with him. Deco and Cila have two sons, João Henrique and Pedro Gabriel, who now live in Brazil with their mother. A few years late, Deco met Jaciara at a party in Salvador, Brazil, and divorced Cila to live with Jaciara in Porto. They married in April 2005 and now have a son, David, and a daughter, Yasmin. They announced their disassociate in March 2008. In 2009, he married to his ex-girlfriend Ana Paula and she gave birth to his fifth child, a daughter, Sofia. Deco is the brother-in-law of colleague football player Alecsandro, who plays for Coritiba Foot Ball Club, and Richarlyson. Deco is an ambassador for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. He besides has a charitable organization, the Deco Institute, based in the brazilian city of Indaiatuba, near São Paulo, where he grew up. [ 33 ]
Media [edit ]
Deco features in EA Sports ‘ FIFA football video game series. He was included in the Ultimate Team Legends in FIFA 16. [ 34 ]
career statistics [edit ]
club [edit ]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition. [ 35 ] [ 36 ]
International [edit ]
National team appearances and goals listed by year. [ 37 ] [ 38 ]
Portugal
Year
Apps
Goals
2003
9
1
2004
15
1
2005
8
0
2006
11
1
2007
8
0
2008
9
2
2009
11
0
2010
4
0
Total
75
5
International goals Scores and results list Portugal’s goal tally first. [ 37 ] [ 38 ]
Honours [edit ]
Porto [ 39 ]
Barcelona [ 39 ]
Chelsea
Fluminense
Individual
Orders