12 October 2005, by Tom Kundert

Devoted Deco eyes World Cup success

Barcelona star relishing his role in the national team

Portugal’s Brazilian-born midfield maestro, Deco, returns to a stadium where he is nothing short of a legend tonight as Portugal complete their World Cup Qualification campaign against Latvia.

The Estádio do Dragão was also the venue where Deco made his debut for Portugal in March 2003. In a scenario that could not have been better scripted, Deco came on in the second half of a friendly international against the country of his birth, Brazil, to score the winner. That goal went a long way to silencing a small contingent who argued that the naturalised Portuguese citizen should not be allowed play for the national team of his adopted country.

“I’ve said it once and I’ll say it a thousand times: Portugal was the country that gave me everything and I can’t imagine my life not being linked to Portugal,” said the ex-Porto wizard. “I keep all my connections to Portugal and I come to my house in Oporto whenever I get the chance, despite being in Barcelona now.”

It is as much Deco’s work ethic and uncomplicated personality as his fabulously silky skills that have endeared him to the nation and won him the respect and admiration of the whole squad - a mutual feeling. “Here I’m among friends. We all get on and the atmosphere is great. I’m happy here, I feel at home. I can even say that I feel more comfortable here than at Barcelona.”

That affirmation is also partly down his role in the team when donning a Portugal shirt in comparison to his duties in Catalonia. “At Barcelona we play with three men in midfield and my job is similar to Maniche’s here in the national team, doing a covering job to allow Roanldinho more freedom to roam. Here I have more freedom to be creative, because Maniche and Costinha work so well that they give me the luxury of concentrating more on offensive play,” explains the midfielder nicknamed ‘magico’ in his Porto days.

World Cup aspirations

Deco was the creative genius in José Mourinho’s Porto side that swept all before them in Europe over two years. He characteristically maintained a modest profile despite his stature as the brightest star of Porto’s greatest ever team, but the 28-year-old is not afraid to set high targets for himself and for Portugal.

“The national side is full of great players, who are also crucial players at their clubs both in Portugal and around several European Leagues, in all positions. I really believe we have one of the best defences in the world, and from midfield onwards we have great individual and collective talent.”

“I’m not going to say that we’re going to win the World Cup, but we’ll do everything in our power to try to achieve that aim.”

Deco also had a special word for Ronaldo as the brilliant Manchester United winger gets used to taking over Figo’s mantle as Portugal’s number one football idol. “He’s already one of the best players in the world, but what I really admire in Cristiano is that he is not satisfied with what he has achieved in the game so far. He’s similar to me in that respect. I always want more.”

Music to the ears of Portugal fans in the run-up to World Cup 2006.