By Guest Writer Ross Mackiewicz.
Chelsea’s Portuguese international Deco plans to leave Stamford Bridge this summer in order to return to his native Brazil and help support a school he has founded. The little midfield maestro has only showed glimpses of his magic and talent since he arrived at Chelsea in the summer of 2008 from Catalan giants Barcelona, but with his contract due to expire next year it is interesting to see if he plans to seek a transfer to a Brazilian club or hang up his boots all together.
“In football you must achieve something when you are young, stay as long as you can, then it’s over… It will be strange to leave Chelsea but with football this is always the way. “
The Brazilian born playmaker revealed back in February that he would retire from the Portuguese national team after this summer’s World Cup. He was brought up in the city of Sao Bernado before moving to Portugal at the age of 19 where he eventually gained citizenship allowing him to play for his new homeland. The former Porto star has always stipulated his intention of returning to Brazil to help the less fortunate but he has not given any indication if his future still includes football.
“My friend Mike, a doctor in Brazil, was telling me that one day I will be an ex-footballer but he will never be an ex-doctor” He said.
“In most jobs you do not become an ex-doctor or an ex-engineer or an ex-dentist, you build up your career slowly, getting better and better at what you do…With a footballer you can’t do that.”
Deco’s career is littered with accolades and honours. He has won a number of domestic titles in Portugal and Spain as well as lifting the Champions League with both Porto and Barcelona. Deco sat out Chelsea’s 7-0 thrashing of Stoke City at the weekend due to illness but he should be back in contention this coming week at Anfield to help push Chelsea’s quest for a third Premier League title.
