Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric is the current player whose strengths and style are most similar to former Barcelona and Portugal playmaker Deco, according to the man himself.
Deco, 38, garnered both acclaim and silverware from central midfield during his career, winning the Champions League with both Porto and Barca as well as the Premier League with Chelsea.
Modric, himself, has a Champions League winner’s medal from the 2013-14 season, a campaign in which his capabilities in dictating play helped Madrid demolish Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.
In an exclusive interview with Squawka, Deco spoke about the footballers he most appreciated watching from the sidelines and identified who he believes is most comparable to his own profile during his playing days.
“I love to see Iniesta, but Modric is fantastic,” said Deco, who has previously explained why players such as Croatian and former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes are so special and important to their teams for Squawka.
During his own career, the Brazil-born Portugal international enjoyed many successful years under a number of top coaches, including Jose Mourinho, Frank Rijkaard, Carlo Ancelotti and Luiz Felipe Scolari, but who had the greatest impact upon his game and development?
“I had a lot of fantastic coaches and people involved in my life,” said Deco.“But, of course, my father was my greatest influence.”
Given his experience as a player who won and achieved so much under the above list of household name managers, has he put any thought into taking charge in the dugout himself?
“I’m still young. I’m 38. We’ll have to see. I’m still involved in football but to be a coach you have to prepare very well.
“When you are a great player who played at a high level it helps but it’s not enough. That’s why I need to, if I change my mind in the future, study and prepare myself.”
Modric, meanwhile, is expected to provide Madridistas some good news on the injury front this evening by recovering for the Champions League Round of 16 clash with Roma.
Tonight’s tie is heavily stacked in the Spanish giants’ favour, having beaten their Italian counterparts 2-0 away in the prior meeting. What is more, Madrid have vastly outscored Roma in the competition so far by 21 goals to 11 and are yet to conceded at home in Europe this season.
COMMENTS