Three years of Deco at Barcelona: 2026 has finally changed the conversation | OneFootball

Three years after Deco officially became Barcelona’s sporting director, his time in charge remains difficult to judge with one simple label.

There have been mistakes, uncomfortable decisions and plenty of criticism. However, 2026 has provided a chance for the conversation to change.

There was a time when Deco’s work at Barcelona attracted more suspicion than trust. The Vitor Roque operation became an easy symbol of everything that seemed wrong.

The club spent heavily to sign the Brazilian at a time when they did not have much cash, the player never really settled in and Deco’s influence in the deal made him an obvious villain.

Add Barcelona’s financial chaos, constant squad reshuffling and the pressure of replacing Mateu Alemany, and his early spell as sporting director was always going to be judged harshly.

Three years later, the picture looks very different.

Hansi Flick remains Deco’s defining decision

For Deco, the biggest decision of his tenure looks better with each passing season.

Appointing Hansi Flick in 2024 required conviction. The German was not universally welcomed after his difficult spell with Germany, but Deco saw a coach whose ideas could work with Barcelona’s squad and, crucially, its young players.

Five trophies later, that decision has transformed the club.

Flick has restored competitiveness, improved players and created an environment in which La Masia can coexist with major signings.

Deco has done a fantastic job since taking up the role at Barcelona. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Whatever criticism Deco receives, choosing the coach who built this version of Barça has to carry enormous credit.

2026 feels like Deco’s redemption arc

This summer, though, has added another dimension to Deco’s story.

Barcelona have become more decisive. Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi and Jesse Bisiwu have strengthened different areas of the squad, while the club are pushing to complete the hugely ambitious signing of Rodri.

More importantly, Barça are finally showing signs of becoming better sellers.

For years, Barcelona supporters watched valuable players leave for disappointing fees while rivals somehow extracted premiums from unwanted squad members.

That cannot be fixed or addressed in one summer, but Barça have to start somewhere, and Deco has done just that.

Ferran Torres leaving for €50 million is the standout example. Barça sold at the right moment, after his value had risen considerably, while simultaneously creating major salary space.

Ansu Fati brought in €11 million. Jofre Torrents is expected to generate around €6 million including variables, while smaller operations involving Inaki Pena and Aron Yaakobishvili add to the overall sales.

This is what sustainable squad building looks like. Not every outgoing player needs to produce €50 million. Barça simply need to stop allowing assets to lose all their value before acting.

There is finally a coherent plan

Deco’s work has also become easier to understand.

Barcelona have made statement signings this summer. (Picture credit: X/@FCBarcelona)

The recruitment increasingly seems connected to Flick’s football rather than simply collecting available names.

Gordon adds Premier League-level explosiveness, Adeyemi brings speed and versatility, and Rodri would completely reshape the midfield if Barcelona finish the deal.

There are still legitimate questions. Barça desperately need a striker after losing Lewandowski and Ferran.

Julian Alvarez remains difficult to obtain, and several young players still need their futures resolved before the window closes.

So, by no means is this a victory lap for Deco.

Still plenty to prove

Three years into the job, Deco’s work remains unfinished. Sporting directors are ultimately judged over cycles and the success the club deliver during that time.

However, 2026 feels significant because Barcelona are beginning to look proactive rather than firefighting in the transfer market.

Deco inherited a club where financial problems dictated almost every sporting decision. Slowly, he has helped build one where the sporting plan is starting to dictate how the money is used.

The criticism he received in his early days was not always unfair. However, ignoring the good work he has done since would also be an injustice.

Three years since the day he took the job, Deco has not completed his Barcelona story. However, for the first time, his redemption arc feels real, and long may it continue.