Editing Deco (section)

===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 />