DECO

"I was upset when Porto didn't let me join Barcelona in 2003 now, I can't deny it was good to have stayed for one more year!”

It’s 20 years this month since Porto shocked Manchester United en route to a remarkable Champions League triumph. The star of Jose Mourinho’s team? A magician called Deco, who would later score in the final as Porto beat Monaco 3-0.

At the start of that season, Deco had wanted to fulfil a lifelong dream by joining Barcelona, but Porto snubbed their bid. Things worked out pretty well in the end, just as they did when the midfielder – born in Brazil as Anderson Luis de Souza – won 75 caps for Portugal after moving there aged 19.

Deco joined Barça in 2004 and won the Champions League with them, too, followed by league titles with Chelsea and Fluminense. This season, after a decade as an agent, he returned to Camp Nou as sporting director, eyeing Champions League glory again – Barça take on Napoli in this month’s last 16.

FFT meets the 46-year-old in his office at the training ground, after we have been generously transported by golf cart from the main entrance. The first team train on the pitch outside while Deco answers your questions…

Where did you get the nickname Deco, and what does it mean?

Jesse Bailey, Lincoln [Laughs] Nothing! I’ve been called Deco for as long as I can remember. My uncle called me Deco, or Dequinho, but I don’t know why. Even he doesn’t!

How did your move from Brazil to Benfica come about?