Deco Exclusive Interview - Umbro Speciali Football Boots
Kicking off our series of exclusive interviews is Chelsea and Portugal star Deco! We grilled the midfielder about everything from the Blues' new boss, customised football boots and the World Cup!
The Brazilian-born Portugese star was on hand to answer the questions at the launch of Umbro's new collection of Special Speciali's, featuring designer sole plates and custom graphics. Here's what Deco had to say...
SoccerBible: Firstly, thanks for giving us your time after a tough training session! Are you enjoying it at Chelsea, working with Ancelotti?
Deco: Yes, he's a good coach a good person he talks a lot to the players - I enjoy it.
SB: You're sitting at the top of the table, but who do you see as Chelsea's biggest rivals for this and maybe the coming seasons?
Deco: I think Manchester City are in progress they are doing well, maybe if they use the money well they could be like Chelsea?
SB: Do you believe Chelsea can win the league? Is the squad strong enoug? Do you think you need any reinforcements?
I think our ambition has to be to win the Premier League, because it is good for Chelsea to win the Premier League again, and of course the Champions League is our dream. [Our squad is] strong enough but we need to play 100%, play well to win the Champions League.
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SB: Of course at the end of the season the big prize is the World Cup, can Portugal realistically win following an indifferent qualification campaign? Deco: I think Portugal has a good chance, we don't have history in the World Cup, we haven't won, but we are good strong and all prepared. If we arrive in good condition we can do well. SB: What has been the best goal you've scored to date? Deco: I think the goal I scored against Monaco in the final of the Champions League was good. SB: And what has been your career highlight so far? Deco: Again, when I won the Champions League with Porto [and then] Barcelona.
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SB: At the SoccerBible we love our football boots and soccer shoes, but we want to know what makes you choose the Speciali over other boots?
Deco: I never played with adidas predator, but the Umbro Speciali is more soft. It's different and it adapts better to my foot. The fit and the comfort of course helps my ball touch.
SB: Do you keep a boot collection at home; do you have a memorable pair you have kept?
Deco: Yes! I have some boots that I've played in, some boots that I played in finals that I have kept.
SB: We love the Stuart Semple design, with its modern take on football heritage and passion, what are your thoughts on the artwork?
Deco: I think the design is good. It is a different looking boot!
SB: The design incorporates the word "Believe" across the sole. What is the significance of the word 'believe' to you in football?
Deco: Believe is a great word, because when you are playing, you need to win. You need to believe that you are working well and need to believe that you can win. I think it's a very important word for me and for football.
SB: Giving belief is just one of the aims of your charity - what sort of work does Instituto Deco20 carry out?
Deco: I have Instituto Deco20 in Brazil. Of course for the kids it's important to believe that they can do different, they can do better. They can discover what talent they have and i think it's important for them to believe in their capacity. Football is important for my life and for the kids. Football can bring people together and it can make people happy.
SB: We've been lucky enough to see your boots before, so have you changed any of the personalisation on your boots?
Deco: Now I put the name of my charity - Instituto Deco20 - as well as my name.
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SB: Do you have any training tips or advice for young talented players to become as good as you? Deco: The first thing is enjoy football. Kids need to play football just for fun and not because they want to be a professional! The important thing is to enjoy football and of course when you become professional you need to train hard to learn to meet your goals and to learn from the older players is important too. SB: With that in mind, what's the best piece of advice you've been given in your career? Deco: When i was playing for Porto I was helped a lot, because at that time I was young and just liked to play and I didn't think about any tactical talk. I was tought and teached and this was important in my career. SB: Do you have an idol in sport? Deco: Michael Jordan was fantastic, but in football it was Djalminha he played in La Coruna and Brazil he was my favourite player.
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SB: Which player, past or present, would you pick as your dream team-mate?
Deco: Ronaldo when he was playing, but he's now in Brazil.
SB: And finally.... If you weren't a footballer, what would you be doing now?
Deco: I don't know! It's difficult to think as I like many things. I like economy for example, maybe if i didn't play football I would study this and finance!
Deco will be sporting the limited edition Stuart Semple designed Umbro Speciali football boots, which you can read and see more about here.
Buy Deco's football boots at Pro-Direct Soccer!
