Editing Deco (section)

==Club career==
===Early career===
Born in [[São Bernardo do Campo]], Deco spent time at [[Sport Club Corinthians Paulista|Corinthians]] as a youngster, competing in the [[Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior]] for them. In the 1997 edition, [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] sent [[Toni (footballer, born 1946)|Toni]] to scout the tournament, and he soon noticed Deco, recommending his signing.<ref name=MF>{{cite news|title=Toni descobriu Deco: "Erro histórico do Benfica"|trans-title=Toni, who discovered Deco: "Historical mistake from Benfica"|url=http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/toni-descobriu-deco-erro-historico-do-benfica|access-date=10 September 2015|work=Maisfutebol|date=26 August 2013|language=pt}}</ref> In June 1997, Benfica purchased his rights from [[Centro Sportivo Alagoano|CSA]] and immediately sent him on loan (along with fellow Brazilian Caju) to their [[farm team]], [[F.C. Alverca|Alverca]].<ref name=MF /><ref>{{cite news|title=Caju reforça FC Porto por troca com Duda|trans-title=Caju joins FC Porto in exchange for Duda|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/fc-porto/detalhe/caju-reforca-fc-porto-por-troca-com-duda.html|access-date=1 April 2016|work=Record|date=1 February 2000|language=pt}}</ref> After helping them win promotion to the [[Primeira Liga|top tier]] in [[1997–98 Segunda Divisão de Honra|1997–98 season]] by scoring 13 goals in 32 appearances, he returned to Benfica in July 1998. However, he left for [[S.C. Salgueiros|Salgueiros]] in exchange for [[Nandinho (footballer, born 1973)|Nandinho]], who went in the opposite direction.<ref name=MF /> When asked by [[Nuno Gomes]] in an interview for ''[[FourFourTwo]]'' why he did not stay and become a legend at Benfica, Deco said, "Benfica decided, it wasn't my decision. They didn't want me. The coach was [[Graeme Souness]] at the time. I was young and Benfica needed some players."<ref>{{cite web|title=Deco: 'At Chelsea, the players spoke directly to the directors over Scolari. That wasn't good'|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/deco-chelsea-players-spoke-directly-directors-over-scolari-wasnt-good|website=FourFourTwo|access-date=10 September 2015|date=11 March 2015}}</ref>

At Salgueiros, Deco was plagued by injuries and only made a few appearances, until [[FC Porto|Porto]] purchased him in March 1999, in time to win the [[1998–99 Primeira Liga|league]] title.<ref>{{cite news|title=Deco: "Contestam as nossas vitórias porque têm muita inveja"|trans-title=Deco: "They dispute our wins because they are jealous"|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/fc-porto/detalhe/deco-contestam-as-nossas-vitorias-porque-tem-muita-inveja.html|access-date=1 April 2016|work=Record|date=25 June 1999|language=pt}}</ref> His release from Benfica and subsequent success with Porto was considered by [[António Simões]] as an "historical mistake", while Toni stated he saw in Deco, a successor for [[Rui Costa]] the club needed since his departure.<ref name=MF />

===Porto===
In his first season with Porto, Deco scored a goal after just 30.08 seconds in a 1–0 away win against [[Molde FK|Molde]] in the [[1999–2000 UEFA Champions League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/57101--molde-vs-porto/ |title=Molde 0–1 Porto |website=UEFA |date=15 September 1999 }}</ref>

Under the guidance of manager [[José Mourinho]] in the [[2002–03 in Portuguese football|2002–03 season]], Deco scored 10 goals in 30 matches and received 17 yellow cards and 1 red card. He was one of the key players in Porto's [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]] final [[2003 UEFA Cup Final|3–2]] win over [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] that year. In the [[2003–04 in Portuguese football|2003–04 season]], Deco helped Porto recapture the national title and led the team to the [[2004 UEFA Champions League Final]], in which Porto won 3–0 over [[AS Monaco FC|Monaco]], scoring the second goal of the match. He was the [[UEFA Champions League]]'s top [[assist (football)|assist]] provider and also suffered the most fouls in the Champions League that season. That season, Deco also won the [[UEFA Club Footballer of the Year]] as well as the award for the [[UEFA Champions League Best Midfielder|best midfielder]] in the competition.

===Barcelona===
[[File:Deco 21dec2006.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Deco playing for [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] in the 2006–07 season]]
A deal was achieved between Porto and Barcelona the day after the [[UEFA Euro 2004 Final|Euro 2004 final]]. Barcelona agreed on a €15&nbsp;million fee in cash, plus the complete rights of [[Ricardo Quaresma]] to Porto, which tagged Quaresma for €6&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fcporto.pt/IncFCP/PDF/Investor_Relations/FactosRelevantes/VendaDeco060704.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205172904/http://www.fcporto.pt/IncFCP/PDF/Investor_Relations/FactosRelevantes/VendaDeco060704.pdf|archive-date=5 December 2010|title=FACTO RELEVANTE|publisher=FC Porto|date=6 July 2004|access-date=28 April 2014}}</ref> 

On 14 May 2005, Deco played in the draw against [[Levante UD|Levante]], which gave Barcelona their 17th [[La Liga]] title. He also was named Barcelona's player of the season in the [[2005–06 La Liga|2005–06 season]].

Deco scored twice in the [[2006 Supercopa de España]], which Barça won.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.portugoal.net/Barcelona0607/BarcelonaMR01.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211033243/http://www.portugoal.net/Barcelona0607/DecoCWCAward.htm|archive-date=11 December 2007|first=Sean|last=Gillen|title=Manuel Jose leads Al-Ahly to historic third place finish|publisher=portugoal.net|date=18 December 2006|access-date=28 April 2014}}</ref> Deco won the [[UEFA Champions League Best Midfielder|UEFA Best Midfielder Award]] yet again for his performance in Barça's [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League-winning season]], enabling him to join the exclusive group of players that have won the same award more than once with different teams, having won the Champions League previously with Porto. He was also awarded the [[FIFA Club World Cup#Honours|Golden Ball]] at the [[FIFA Club World Cup]] and the [[Man of the Match]] award, despite losing the final to [[Sport Club Internacional|Internacional]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.portugoal.net/Barcelona0607/DecoCWCAward.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724022428/http://www.portugoal.net/Barcelona0607/BarcelonaMR01.htm|archive-date=24 July 2008|first=Marco|last=Pereira|title=Deco blasts brace as Barcelona win Spanish Supercopa|publisher=portugoal.net|date=21 August 2006|access-date=28 April 2014}}</ref>

===Chelsea===
[[File:Deco (Chelsea, 2008).jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Deco taking a [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty kick]] for [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] in 2008]]
On 30 June 2008, [[Premier League]] team Chelsea signed Deco from Barcelona on a three-year contract for €10&nbsp;million (£8&nbsp;million).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldsoccer.com/world-soccer-latest/chelsea-sign-deco-262537 |title=Chelsea sign Deco |date=1 July 2008 |access-date=18 June 2024 |work=World Soccer}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Fraser |first=Peter |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/3759279/chelsea-complete-deco-deal |title=Chelsea complete Deco deal |date=30 June 2008 |access-date=18 June 2024 |work=Sky Sports}}</ref> He was the first signing of new Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who was formerly the head coach of the [[Portugal national football team|Portugal national team]].

Deco scored on his debut with a 30-yard goal in a 4–0 league victory over [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Goodhart |first=Benjie |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/aug/17/premierleague.chelsea |title=Deco inspires imperious Chelsea in Portsmouth rout |date=17 August 2008 |access-date=18 June 2024 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Deco followed up his performance by scoring in his second game for Chelsea, a curling free-kick against [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]]. These performances led to him winning the Premier League Player of the Month award for August.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rutledge |first=Lewis |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/4136299/deco-and-southgate-net-awards |title=Deco and Southgate net awards |date=13 September 2008 |access-date=18 June 2024 |work=Sky Sports}}</ref> Deco made his Champions League debut for Chelsea on 16 September. Deco injured himself during a training session, but he returned from the thigh injury on 19 October and came on as a substitute against [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]]. He was sent off in the 3–1 defeat by [[A.S. Roma|Roma]] on 4 November 2008. He then scored a [[bicycle kick]] against [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] on 6 December.

Deco eventually lost his place in the [[2008–09 Premier League|2008–09]] starting line up, due in part to some poor performances, but also to the sacking of Scolari. In a June interview, Deco said, "I do not want to stay. I have not liked my experience at Chelsea." This was soon followed by [[Inter Milan]], managed by former Chelsea manager José Mourinho, declaring Inter was attempting to sign Deco along with fellow countryman [[Ricardo Carvalho]], who had also declared his desire to leave and, like Deco, desired to link-up with Mourinho again. Both players previously played under Mourinho at Porto.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/5374893 | title=Deco seeks Blues exit | work=Sky Sports}}</ref> However, Inter club president [[Massimo Moratti]] ruled out signing either of the Portuguese internationals on the basis of their age, telling ''[[Gazzetta dello Sport]]'', "Deco and Carvalho? They are two champions but at this time I don't feel there's a need to buy them."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5416894,00.html | work=Sky Sports | title=Inter rule out Chelsea duo | date=6 July 2009}}</ref>

===Fluminense===
On 6 August 2010, Deco signed a two-year contract with Brazilian club [[Fluminense FC|Fluminense]] on a free transfer,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2010/08/07/2060454/official-fluminense-sign-deco-on-two-year-contract |title=OFFICIAL: Fluminense Sign Deco On Two-Year Contract |publisher=Goal.com |date=7 August 2010 |access-date=28 June 2012}}</ref> joining former Chelsea and Barcelona teammate [[Juliano Belletti]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jul/14/juliano-belletti-fluminense-deco-chelsea | location=London | work=The Guardian | title=Juliano Belletti heads for Fluminense from Chelsea and Deco may follow | date=18 July 2010}}</ref> Playing for Fluminense, Deco won the [[Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|Campeonato Brasileiro]] in [[2010 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|2010]] and [[2012 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|2012]].

On 26 August 2013, Deco retired, ending a 17-year career. The decision came on the day before his 36th birthday. His final match was four days prior, against [[Goiás Esporte Clube|Goiás]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=1985711.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828043939/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=1985711.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 August 2013|title=Member associations - News – UEFA.com|last=uefa.com|date=26 August 2013}}</ref>