Deco
One of the few players to win the UEFA Champions League with two clubs.
Anderson Luís de Souza (born 27 August 1977), also known as Deco, is a former professional footballer who primarily played as an attacking or central midfielder. Born and raised in Brazil, he played for the Portugal national team. He currently works as sporting director for Barcelona. Deco is widely considered one of the best midfielders of his generation.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Central Midfielder
- Nationality
- Brazilian-Portuguese (Dual)
- Shirt number
- 10
- Key partnership
- Deco & Costinha
Lore & Background
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 Year 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 award in the final despite losing to Internacional.
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.
Reader's Guide
Deco began his career in Brazil at Corinthians as a youngster. In June 1997, Benfica purchased his rights from CSA and immediately sent him on loan to Alverca. After helping them win promotion in 1997–98, he returned to Benfica in July 1998 but left for Salgueiros in exchange for Nandinho. At Salgueiros, he was plagued by injuries until Porto purchased him in March 1999. In his first 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. Under José Mourinho, he helped Porto win the UEFA Cup in 2003 and the UEFA Champions League in 2004. He then moved to Barcelona in 2004, winning La Liga in 2005 and the UEFA Champions League in 2006. He joined Chelsea in 2008 and later Fluminense in 2010, winning the Campeonato Brasileiro in 2010 and 2012. He retired on 26 August 2013.
Did You Know?
- Deco scored the second goal in Porto's 3–0 win over Monaco in the 2004 UEFA Champions League Final.
- Deco scored on his Chelsea debut with a 30-yard goal in a 4–0 win over Portsmouth.
- He won the Premier League Player of the Month award for August 2008.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Deco?
Deco is Anderson Luís de Souza, a Brazilian-born midfielder who became a dual Portuguese citizen and an eternal legend of FC Porto. He wore the iconic number 10 shirt during the club's golden era in the early 2000s.
What was Deco's role on the pitch?
As a central midfielder, he served as the team's creative orchestrator, renowned for his technical mastery and tactical intelligence. He formed a legendary partnership with Costinha that defined Porto's midfield dominance.
Did Deco play for any other major clubs?
While he achieved global fame at FC Porto, Barcelona, and Chelsea, his most celebrated period remains his time in the blue and white shirt. It was specifically at Porto that he solidified his reputation as a world-class maestro.
How is Deco remembered by the fans today?
He is revered as the Brazilian-Portuguese genius who orchestrated the club's greatest successes on the European stage. Even decades later, he remains an untouchable icon in the hearts of the Porto faithful.
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