Deco had the privilege of playing alongside two of football's legendary figures, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, yet he has declared another football icon as the ultimate best. Here are the key points:
- Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are widely regarded as the pinnacle of football excellence in recent times, possibly in the history of the sport.
- Despite having shared the field with both, Deco insists that Ronaldinho outshines them, a sentiment he expressed during an interview. He did, however, acknowledge Messi's innate abilities and Ronaldo's relentless drive.
- During the 16 years when Ronaldo and Messi reigned supreme, they collectively amassed 13 Ballon d'Or awards, with only Luka Modric and Karim Benzema interrupting their streak to claim the prestigious accolade. This period sparked intense debates about who the ultimate footballer is, with opinions often split between Messi's mesmerizing dribbles and Ronaldo's prolific goal-scoring.
- While other football greats like Diego Maradona and Pelé are frequently mentioned, suggesting anyone else as the greatest often meets with dismissal. However, when a respected former player like Deco, who has played for Porto and Barcelona, voices his opinion, it commands attention. He has boldly stated that Ronaldinho is, in his view, the one who deserves the crown of football's greatest.
- Deco had the opportunity to team up with Ronaldo in the Portuguese national squad and with Messi during his tenure at Barcelona. Yet, it's his bond with Ronaldinho that stands out, a connection that was evident both on and off the field, as Deco recounted in an interview with the Spanish publication AS, describing their time together as magical.
- Ronaldinho's impressive career statistics, including 197 goals and 167 assists across 547 club games, and his 2005 Ballon d'Or victory, underscore his extraordinary talent. Deco and Ronaldinho shared triumphant moments at Barcelona, including their Champions League victory in 2006.
- With Guardiola's arrival in 2008, both Deco and Ronaldinho were sold from Barcelona amid concerns about their influence on Messi, with rumors of their less-than-professional behavior.
- Deco holds both Messi and Ronaldo in high regard, noting Messi's consistent natural talent and Ronaldo's insatiable ambition for more success. Although Deco was born in Brazil, he never played for the Brazilian national team, which had a wealth of attacking midfielders during the 2002 World Cup. He later obtained Portuguese citizenship and played alongside Ronaldo for Portugal.
- Deco ended his international career after the 2010 World Cup, missing Portugal's Euro 2016 victory. Nevertheless, Ronaldo's winning mindset made a lasting impression on him, and Messi's potential was evident from the start. In a FourFourTwo interview, Deco lauded Messi's enduring talent and lamented the difficulty in choosing between the two stars, expressing a wish to have had both on his team, highlighting their ability to take control of the game effortlessly.