Deco: “Scolari made us behave like winners”

March 26th, 2006 | by: Luis Paulo | Comments(11)

The Brazilian who became officially portuguese talks about the World Cup, his career and criticizes players who get new nationality just to be able to play a World Cup and stick out his fond for Portugal.

He arrived in Portugal as one of the youngest Brazilian players trying to succeed in Europe. Today he is one of the Barcelona’s main players and will be on the 2006 World Cup. This following interview was published in the Brazilian newspaper Lance!. There, Deco talks about another Brazilian players who will be playing in Germany as well the Portugual’s chances in the World Cup.

LANCE: What do you expect from Portugal in this World Cup?
DECO: We got a lucky draw and we shouldn’t have problem in the first phase. After that, everything can happen, it’s hard to predict. Portugal has no tradition in World Cups, but we do have a good team, that are playing together for a long time and are doing it well.

L!: In you opinion, who are the favorites?
D: Brazil is above all. But that doesn’t mean that it will be easy. There are some others great teams that can also win.

L!: Is there any team that could be a surprise?
D: The Czech Republic has a good team and so does Ivory Coast. Ukraine has no tradition but they are playing well and would be considered a surprise if they win.

L!: What are Portugal’s weakness and strength?
D: The defense is really good, with experienced players. We also have offensive quality but we lack replacements. It’s not like Brazil or Argentina that can replace players without loosing quality.

L!: Is there any Portuguese player that can be consider outstanding?
D: Cristiano Ronaldo is young and very talented. Figo is very important for his former experience. Ricardo Carvalho is, in my opinion, the best defender in the whole world.

L!: Ronaldinho and Messi, your friends at Barcelona, are appointed as the possible MVP in this World Cup. Do you believe that they can play for their country as well they play for Barcelona?
D: It all depends of how Brazil and Argentina will be at the World Cup. They play differently at Barcelona and therefore are hard to predict. But they got talent enough to be it.

L!: How important Luiz Felipe Scolari is to Portugal?
D: He made us behave like winners. He is a winner and he’s passing us all his experience.

L!: When you were called for the first time to play for Portugal, in 2003, it was said that Scolari was the one who told you to get the Portuguese nationality. How was that?
D: The invitation to get a portuguese nationality came four years before that. I was already known in Portugal and the people have always asked me to do it. When Scolari came, I had already made up my mind.

L!: You only got your place on Portugal squad after the defeat to Greek during the Euro04 when big stars like Fernando Couto and Rui Costa were sacked from the team. Did you feel any rejection from the group after that?
D: The decision didn’t come from Scolari only. I believe that, because who they were, it took too long to make this decision. Many people would like to see me playing but they were saying that it was only the Press from Porto. After that defeat, the changes were necessary, and the coach made that decision.

L!: Do you think you could have had a chance to play for Brazil?
D: I don’t like to discuss that, although everybody asks me. I didn’t choose to play for Portugal because I though I wouldn’t have a chance to play for Brazil. It happened after many requests from the fans and the great affection for the country.

L!: How did you became so bonded for Portugal?
D: I arrived there when I was 18 to play for Benfica but I went to Alverca on a loan. After that I went to Salgueiros, small team there. Then I played for Porto and there I won many titles. I grew up in Portugal and created a very strong relationship with the country that adopted me.

L!: How hard it was at the beginning?
D: I went there to play in a major club but the changes made me disappointed. It wasn’t as I planned and I though about going back to Brazil. But I didn’t want to get in a conflict with my managers and because of that I stayed. In the end, everything worked out just fine.

L!: What is your relationship with Portugal today?
D: It remains close. I own a house in Porto and I go there as often as I can. But I keep visiting Brazil on my vacations also.

L!: Many others Brazilian with a second nationality will be playing the World Cup in Germany for other countries, just like you. How do you see that?
D: I don’t know their situations but I don’t agree when they change their nationality only to play a competition. You need to have an affection bond with the country. Play for their team should be only the consequence. I know that Kuranyi have a German father and lives there for a long time. About the others I can’t say anything.

L!: In your debut with the Portugal team you end it scoring against Brazil. Have you thought about playing against your country in the World Cup?
D: It’s always hard to play against Brazil, specially if you are at the World Cup. I haven’t thought about it, but it will surely be something weird.

L!: Have you thought about how it will be to play a World cup for the first time?
D: I didn’t think about it yet. I don’t like to make plans. I still have some competitions to play for Barcelona. The World Cup is something new to me and when time arrives I will enjoy the best way I can.

L!: Do you plan to go back to Brazil someday?
D: I have a contract with Barcelona until 2010 and I intend to keep it. After that, I don’t know. I would like to play for Corinthians but I don’t make plans about it yet.

L!: Did you believe that you would easily earn your spot in Barcelona?
D: Even though I was already famous, I need it to show my game at the field. I was hired to be at the main team. If I didn’t think that I wouldn’t go.

L!: Ronaldinho Gaúcho and you are the team’s stars. How is you personal relationship with him?
D: We’ve got a great relationship outfield, not only with him but also with the other Brazilian from the group.

L!: Have you ever thought about how is going to be to face them at the World Cup?
D: No, I didn’t. Luckily we play at the same side, but it surely will be complicated.