The Barca star is known as 'Deco' because "it was something that occurred to an uncle of mine. In Brazil, people use nicknames a lot". Deco, who comes from a humble Brazilian family, revealed that he had almost given up football as a teenager: "I was really down. I started to workbut then luckily, six months later, I started to play again. It was my dream to become a footballer. I wouldn't know how to do anything else. You have to be lucky and get the opportunities, but you also have to work to achieve it."

"An ordinary guy"

Deco faced a barrage of quick fire questions on Barca TV to find out about his likes and dislikes. He explained that his favourite food is meat, his favourite band is Brazilian group 'Sensaçao' and his favourite city is still Porto. He describes himself as "an ordinary guy" who likes spending time with his family. He admits to being too much of a perfectionist, he detests hypocrisy and says that signing for Barca is a dream come true.

FC Barcelona
2005-06 Super Cup of Spain
2004-05 Spanish League   -  2005-2006 Spanish League

FC Oporto
2003-04 Liga de   Campeones
2003-04 Liga de Portugal
2002-03 Copa de la

UEFA
2002-03 Liga de Portugal
2002-03 Copa de Portugal
2002-03 Supercopa de Portugal
1999-00 Copa de Portugal
1998-99 Liga de Portugal
1998-99 Supercopa de Portugal

Selección de Portugal

2003-04 Subcampeón de Europa

Personal AwardS
2003-04 Balón de Plata

2006 Uefa best midfielder