Why Barcelona director Deco was in attendance at Dinamo Zagreb vs | OneFootball

A leading member of the board at La Liga giants Barcelona was spotted in attendance at this week’s Europa League meeting between Dinamo Zagreb and Fenerbahçe.

That’s according to Diario Sport, who point towards Deco as the individual in question.

The Blaugrana chief is constantly on the lookout for up-and-coming talent to lure towards Catalunya’s capital with a view to the future.

And this proved the reasoning behind his trip to Croatia’s capital.

First on the agenda was a scouting mission for Cardoso Varela, a 16-year-old attacking sensation who has long been on the radar of Barcelona.

Deco’s scouting did not end there, though, with the Portuguese having also met with Rafael Gomes Cirino, more commonly known as Belinho.

Belinho, also a 16-year-old attacker, is currently making a name for himself as one of the standout breakthrough talents in Croatian football, widely considered to be a potential star in the making.

And as per Sport:

‘Deco met at the Westin Zagreb Hotel with Rafael Belinho and agent Andy Bara. Although it was a very informal contact since the parties did not yet know each other, they took the opportunity to put on faces, share anecdotes and be photographed’

Conor Laird – GSFN