Deco overlooks Lionel Messi in Barcelona best teammate reveal
Deco's role at Barcelona focuses on bringing the best talent to the club but the situation was reversed when he arrived in 2004.
Advertisement
The former midfielder played a vital role in Porto's incredible UEFA Champions League win under Jose Mourinho in 2003/04.
His superb displays at the heart of Mourinho's team convinced Frank Rijkaard to bring him to Catalonia where he won two La Liga crowns and another Champions League trophy.
Deco's first campaign at Barcelona also saw the rise into the first team of an incredible La Masia talent by the name of Lionel Messi.
Messi rocketed to stardom alongside Deco, before the latter moved on to Chelsea in 2008, and Deco is a huge fan of Barcelona's GOAT.
Deco names No.1 Barcelona teammate in bold admission
Countless Barcelona stars have not blinked when naming Messi as their greatest ever teammate.
Advertisement
However, despite being there for Messi's breakthrough, Deco had a different answer as part of an interview with legendary former Brazil and Barcelona striker Romario.
'I played with the first versions of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo [with Portugal]. But, if I had to choose, I would choose Ronaldinho,' as per Mundo Deportivo.
'Of those players I played with in my career, Ronaldinho was the best. He had so much technical ability, it was just wow!
'He did things very different to anyone else. However, the most complete teammate I had was Messi.'
Ronaldinho arrived at Barcelona the year before Deco, joining from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, after previously opting against a move away from the French capital after winning the FIFA World Cup with Brazil in 2002.
The 47-year-old wowed the Camp Nou with 94 goals in 207 games before choosing to move on to AC Milan in 2008.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox Sports
20 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Spain's 6-2 win over Belgium secures place in Euro 2025 quarterfinals
Associated Press THUN, Switzerland (AP) — World Cup champion Spain booked a spot in the quarterfinals of the Women's European Championship after another statement victory, 6-2 over Belgium on Monday. It was, surprisingly, the first time Spain won back-to-back matches at the Euros, after beating Portugal 5-0 in its opener. With 11 goals in two matches, Spain and its star-packed squad is living up to its billing as the tournament favorite and two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas had a stark warning for the other teams. 'The team is having an excellent performance. But almost all of us have room for improvement,' Putellas said in translated comments. She scored two against Belgium and was named player of the match in a second straight game. 'I'm feeling very well mentally and I'm being quick," Putellas said. 'I see things in advance and for me that's the trigger that I feel good. And that means I can help others.' The result combined with Italy's 1-1 draw against Portugal in the late match advanced Spain to the last eight. Spain tops Group B with six points. Italy is second with four, three more than Portugal. The top two progress to the quarterfinals. On Friday, Italy faces Spain in their final group match and Portugal plays the eliminated Belgium. But Belgium can take positives. The Red Flames went toe to toe with Spain before a flurry of late goals had them more concerned about goal difference — which could be a deciding factor. 'I'm really proud of my team because I know 100% that they had the belief that I was looking for,' Belgium coach Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir said. 'But, to be honest, I walked into the locker room and I really wanted to cry. Emotionally it was difficult because I really believed in what we were doing and I loved seeing my players give everything. We gave them a really good game for at least 60 minutes.' Spain laid siege to the Belgium goal from the start. Mariona Caldentey played in a lovely pass from the edge of the area to Vicky López, who cushioned it on for Putellas to sweep into the far corner. However, Spain's 22nd-minute lead lasted barely two minutes before Justine Vanhaevermaet headed in Tessa Wullaert's corner at the near post. Spain captain Irene Paredes was playing her first match of the tournament after being suspended from the opener, and she made it 2-1 before the break when she headed in a corner. Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí was brought on at halftime. She was hospitalized for viral meningitis before the tournament and played only eight minutes against Portugal. Belgium leveled again through Hannah Eurlings shortly after the restart. It was initially ruled out for offside but awarded by the VAR. Less than a minute later, Spain led for a third time when Putellas played in Esther González for the veteran forward to score her third goal of the tournament. When a González effort was blocked, the ball was not cleared and Mariona Caldentey fired in Spain's fourth. Claudia Pina curled a sumptuous 20-yard effort into the top right corner — the best goal of the night — and there was still time for Putellas to net her second. ___ AP soccer: recommended
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Relentless Spain reach Euro 2025 quarters after thumping Belgium
Alexia Putellas (C) celebrating with Esther Gonzalez (9) and Vicky Lopez (19) after scoring the opening goal for Spain against Belgium (SEBASTIEN BOZON) Spain reached the quarter-finals of Women's Euro 2025 on Monday after the world champions' hammered Belgium 6-2 while Italy were held to a 1-1 draw with Portugal. A brace from the magnificent Alexia Putellas and further goals from Irene Paredes, Esther Gonzalez, Mariona Caldentey and Claudia Pina gave Group B leaders Spain a second thumping win. Advertisement Montse Tome's team will win the group if they avoid defeat to Italy, who are two points behind La Roja in second after being denied qualification late on by third-placed Portugal, on Friday. Few would bet on Spain failing to secure first place after two blistering performances in which they have netted 11 times. "We knew they would try to sit back and hold us off at the beginning, we could have been better, sure, but you need to adapt during the game. We managed to do that and create good opportunities," Tome told reporters. "We have to improve but we did what we planned to do." Advertisement Belgium, who twice levelled through Justine Vanhaevermaet and Hannah Eurlings, are close to going home after eventually being blown away by relentless waves of attacking football. They acquitted themselves well until Caldentey forced home Spain's fourth in the 61st minute, defending with grit and causing problems with some punchy breakaway football. "It was difficult because I really believed in what we were doing and I loved seeing my players give everything they had," said Belgium coach Elisabet Gunnarsdottir. "I really think we gave them a game for at least 60 minutes, a really good game... I'm proud of them." Advertisement When Putellas finished off a beautiful spell of quick passing in the 22nd minute it looked like the beginning of a thumping win similar to the 5-0 destruction of Portugal in the opening round. - Spain rampant - Yet seconds later Vanhaevermaet levelled with the simplest of goals, nodding home Tessa Wullaert's corner. Paredes put Spain back in the lead six minutes before the break with a bullet header from Pina's deep corner. Again Belgium hit back, this time through Eurlings who sprung the offside trap before rifling home in the 50th minute. Gonzalez netted her third goal of the tournament two minutes later after collecting Putellas' neat through ball. The game was up when Caldentey bundled home from a corner just after the hour. Advertisement Pina smashed in her first goal of the tournament with 10 minutes remaining, and appropriately it was Putellas' deft flick which completed the rout shortly afterwards. On this form Spain look a class above the rest of the tournament and clear favourites to win the country's first ever women's European crown. Italy thought they were joining Spain in the quarters when Cristiana Girelli opened the scoring in Geneva with a brilliant curling effort with 20 minutes remaining. The Azzurre were saved 10 minutes later when Diana Silva was denied a leveller when she was ruled offside by VAR following her rebound finish from a corner. Advertisement But in the 89th minute Diana Gomes lobbed home a leveller which gave Portugal a point and kept them in the competition moments after Carole Costa headed onto the crossbar. That goal could be huge as Portugal face Belgium while Italy take on Spain. Italy currently have a goal difference which is six better than Portugal but with Spain up next a big swing is not that to imagine. td/pb/nf/pb
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Euro 2025: Portugal stays alive after 89th-minute goal in draw with Italy
Portugal players wear shirts with the name of Portugal international and Liverpool player Diogo Jota who died recently, during warmup before the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Portugal and Italy at Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) A Portugal fan holds a Liverpool scarf with a picture of Portugal international and Liverpool player Diogo Jota who died recently, before the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Portugal and Italy at Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) The players watch the ball hit the crossbar after a header from Italy's Cecilia Salvai, right, during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Portugal and Italy at Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Italy's Emma Severini tries to tackle Portugal's Tatiana Pinto during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Portugal and Italy at Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Italy players run celebrating to teammate Cristiana Girelli after she scored the opening goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Portugal and Italy at Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Portugal's Diana Gomes, left, celebrates after scoring her side's first goal during the Euro 2025 group B soccer match between Portugal and Italy at Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP) Italy's Cristiana Girelli celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Portugal and Italy at Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Italy's Cristiana Girelli celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Portugal and Italy at Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Portugal players wear shirts with the name of Portugal international and Liverpool player Diogo Jota who died recently, during warmup before the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Portugal and Italy at Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) A Portugal fan holds a Liverpool scarf with a picture of Portugal international and Liverpool player Diogo Jota who died recently, before the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Portugal and Italy at Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) The players watch the ball hit the crossbar after a header from Italy's Cecilia Salvai, right, during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Portugal and Italy at Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Italy's Emma Severini tries to tackle Portugal's Tatiana Pinto during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Portugal and Italy at Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Italy players run celebrating to teammate Cristiana Girelli after she scored the opening goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Portugal and Italy at Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Portugal's Diana Gomes, left, celebrates after scoring her side's first goal during the Euro 2025 group B soccer match between Portugal and Italy at Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP) Italy's Cristiana Girelli celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Portugal and Italy at Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) GENEVA (AP) — Portugal desperately pressed Italy to find the goal to stay alive at the Women's European Championship and finally got it in the 89th minute from Diana Gomes to secure a 1-1 draw. The result sent Spain into the quarterfinals from Group B after its earlier 6-2 rout of Belgium which was eliminated from contention. Advertisement Italy was joining Spain in the quarterfinals with a lead taken in the 70th on captain Cristiana Girelli's high-class curling shot from 20 meters. Portugal seemed to have a lifeline in the 80th but Diana Silva's goal was ruled out for an offside spotted after a two-minute video review. Then Portugal was denied by the crossbar in the 89th when Carole Costa's firm header came back off into play, before the ball was recycled for Gomes to earn a crucial point. Portugal defender Ana Borges was sent off deep into stoppage time. Italy is still favored to advance, moving up to four points in the group standings. That is three clear of Portugal but also six better in goal difference which is now the tiebreaker between the two. In Friday's final round, Italy plays Spain and Portugal faces Belgium. ___ AP soccer:
