Deco talks Barcelona legends, Yamal, Mourinho and more – “Ronaldinho over Messi, Ronaldo” | OneFootball

After being handed a massive blow in the pursuit of Nico Williams, Barcelona sporting director Deco decided to move on.

He even took the time to join former teammate Romario on his talk show, where he refrained from discussing Barcelona’s ongoing transfer matters.

Instead, the sporting director talked about the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and even Lamine Yamal.

Deco on Lamine Yamal and Raphinha

Deco did not hold back when asked about Lamine Yamal’s potential, even comparing his growth trajectory to none other than Neymar.

“Lamine is a phenomenon, a phenomenon. Being the best in the world depends on him. He’ll be competing with Real Madrid for championships at FC Barcelona for the next few years, and he’s in the best place to fight, on the best stage,” he said (h/t Mundo Deportivo).

“I also say this for the Spanish national team, which will shine in tournaments because it’s very strong.

“Lamine’s start is very similar to Neymar’s beginnings. Life has helped him mature the way he is. Now he has more responsibilities as a player, but he’s also at his age. When he’s 30, he’ll be doing the things 30 does,” he added.

Deco also talked about Barcelona’s other attacking phenom in the form of Raphinha, who was one of the club’s best players last season.

“Raphinha gives you a lot with his character. First, because he always fights. Second, because he has a profile that helps Lamine, Pedri, and all the younger generation at Barça.

“Raphinha, like Inigo or Lewandowski himself, does. Raphinha has a character that contributes a lot. That’s why we made him captain, and he feels like a leader. He had a fantastic season,” he said about the Brazilian.

Deco on choosing between Messi and Ronaldo

Deco was notably asked the age-old question by Romario: Choose between Messi and Ronaldo.

Deco, though, had a different answer altogether. “I played with the first Messi and the first Cristiano. If I have to choose, I’d choose Ronaldinho.

Deco favours Ronaldinho ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

“Of those I played with, Ronaldinho was the best. He had technical ability, wow! He did different things,” he said.

Still, he had plenty of praise for the other two, as he praised not only Messi but also Cristiano Ronaldo.“The most complete player I’ve played with is Messi,” he said. “What impresses me most about Cristiano is that he always wants to learn. At the beginning, he didn’t commit fouls.”

Deco on his own career

Speaking of playing with Messi and Ronaldo, Deco reflected on his own footballing career, including his days at Barcelona.

“The Barcelona I played for was technically very good; that was the feeling I had on the pitch. It inherited the legacy of the generation of the 90s, yours, Cruyff’s, then came the generation of Messi, Iniesta and Xavi.

“Our Barça is over. All good things come to an end, sooner or later. What matters is leaving a mark. In the end, it was my fault, Ronaldinho’s or Eto’o’s,” he said.

Deco has played under a series of top-class managers during his time, one of whom was Jose Mourinho, the former Real Madrid coach.

Deco only had good things to say about the Portuguese tactician, who is currently in charge of Fenerbahce.

“For what he meant to me, the best manager I ever had was Mourinho. He’s a very good coach. I’ve worked with him for years. Back then, he was a revolutionary; he did things in training that would put the opponents out of their place,” he said.

Deco is a huge fan of Jose Mourinho (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

Deco on Brazilian football

Deco and Romario also talked about Brazilian football, with the former notably naming Estevao as the next big thing for the Selecao.

“Of the young Brazilians? Estevao, he is the ‘different’ Brazilian. They have it all. The Brazilian U-20 team that won the South American Championship has two or three very good players. Fluminense also have some,” he said.

The Barcelona sporting director also talked about Brazil’s recent struggles on the international stage.

“Everyone thinks about quality when they talk about Brazil, about their national team. They think about Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Romario, Ronaldinho, and Neymar. But in recent years, Brazil hasn’t been the big favourite in a World Cup,” he said.

Finally, Deco backed Spain as the most complete team in international football and is unsurprisingly home to many Barcelona stars.

“Spain is the best-organised team right now. Among the World Cup favourites is Spain. First, you always have to consider Argentina, with a coach (Scaloni) who is very strong.

“After these two, the main ones, I would put Brazil, France, Portugal, and a Germany that is under construction,” he concluded.