Deco

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Lore & Background

Deco's international career began after many months of public discussion which split Portuguese public opinion, and despite the opposition of a large number of Porto rivals' supporters. He was called up for his first international, coincidentally against Brazil, coming on as a substitute for Sérgio Conceição and scoring the free-kick which won the match 2–1. This was Portugal's first win over Brazil since the 1966 FIFA World Cup. Before UEFA Euro 2004, Luís Figo reportedly criticised Deco's inclusion, with some sources attributing a remark about nationality to him. Deco responded, 'Eu nasci no Brasil e seria uma mentira dizer que sou português agora e não brasileiro. Mas amo Portugal e adoro jogar pela seleção.' 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.

In Their Own Story

In the 2006 World Cup, Deco scored the first goal in Portugal's second Group D match against Iran in the 63rd minute prior to Cristiano Ronaldo's 80th-minute penalty. During the first knockout stage of the competition, Deco received two yellow cards in the match against the Netherlands with the first given for a rash tackle on John Heitinga, suspending him from the quarter-final win against England, as he had already picked up a caution in the match with Iran. The win against England in the quarter-final stage led to Portugal's defeat in the semi-final, which Deco was able to participate in. On 11 June 2008, Deco scored the opening goal in Portugal's second match 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 campaign came to an end against Germany, the eventual runners-up of the tournament. In February 2010, Deco announced he would be retiring from international football after the 2010 World Cup. He played for Portugal in their opening game against the Ivory Coast, but was injured and ruled out of the remaining two group matches. He was fit again for the round of 16 match against Spain, but Portugal head coach Carlos Queiroz chose Tiago over him. Deco retired from international football with 75 caps and 5 goals.

Reader's Guide

Deco earned 75 caps for Portugal and scored 5 goals. He played at two UEFA European Championships (Euro 2004 and Euro 2008) and two FIFA World Cups (2006 and 2010). He reached the final of Euro 2004, where Portugal finished as runners-up to Greece. At the 2006 World Cup, Portugal achieved a fourth-place finish. Deco scored in the 2006 World Cup group stage against Iran and in the Euro 2008 group stage against the Czech Republic. His international career ended after the 2010 World Cup second-round defeat to Spain.

Did You Know?

• Deco was never called up to the Brazil national team; the Brazil squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup included other attacking midfielders such as Ronaldinho, Rivaldo and Juninho Paulista.
• Deco's first international cap was against Brazil, and he scored the free-kick that won the match 2–1 — Portugal's first win over Brazil since the 1966 FIFA World Cup.
• Before Euro 2004, Luís Figo reportedly criticised Deco's inclusion over nationality concerns, though the exact wording of his remarks is not verified. Deco responded, 'I was born in Brazil and it would be a lie to say th
• Deco received two yellow cards in the 2006 World Cup match against the Netherlands, suspending him from the quarter-final win against England.
• Deco announced his retirement from international football in February 2010, effective after the 2010 World Cup.