Deco

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Deco

Deco playing for Fluminense in 2013
Personal information
Full name	Anderson Luís de Souza[1]
Date of birth	(1977-08-27) 27 August 1977 (age 46)[2]
Place of birth	São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil[3]
Height	1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)[3]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Youth career
1995–1996	Nacional (SP)
1996–1997	Corinthians
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1996–1997	Corinthians	2	(1)
1997	CSA	0	(0)
1997–1998	Benfica	0	(0)
1997–1998	→ Alverca (loan)	32	(12)
1998–1999	Salgueiros	12	(4)
1999–2004	Porto	148	(57)
2004–2008	Barcelona	113	(11)
2008–2010	Chelsea	43	(5)
2010–2013	Fluminense	56	(9)
Total		406	(133)
International career
2003–2010	Portugal	75	(19)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Portugal UEFA European Championship Runner-up 2004 Portugal
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Anderson Luís de Souza OIH (born 27 August 1977), also known as Deco (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈdɛku]), is a former professional football player who primarily played as an attacking or central midfielder.^[4] Born and raised in Brazil, he acquired Portuguese citizenship and played for Portugal. He is regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation. He currently works as sporting director in Barcelona.

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.