Bayern interested in man of the match Deco

Man of the match in the final between FC Porto and AS Monaco was Anderson Luis de Suza, or Deco as he is known. After the final whistle the gifted playmaker was asked about a possible move to Germany.

In Germany Deco's name is being linked with Bayern Munich. "We'll soon see what will happen. At the moment nothing is clear, I'm only thinking about the national team and the European Championship. That's my major objective." When asked if he was learning German because of Bayern, Deco replied dryly: "I don't think so."

Franz Beckenbauer initially expressed criticism when talking about Deco. "He was invisible for much of the game, leaving aside the second goal for a moment. He's rather expensive in any case. And if he now goes on to have a good European Championship as well, we won't be able to afford him", the Bayern president said. Yet the 'Kaiser' didn't rule out a move completely: "He's one we'd like and we are in talks. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeness are conducting the negotiations."

Bayern could kill two birds with one stone, however. Were Michael Ballack to go to Barcelona, there would be money for Deco, although he is said to cost over ten million euros. But Deco isn't talking about Bayern or any other offers at the moment as he simply wants to enjoy the success at the Arena AufSchalke and one day be able to tell his grandchildren about it: "I always share a room with my team mate Derlei and we said we would tell our grandkids everything about the final and maybe lie a little bit. This win in Gelsenkirchen will live on in the memory, it's such a great feeling."

Great is also a word to describe Deco's chances of grabbing the limelight with the Portuguese national team at EURO 2004. The Brazilian-born player is a permanent fixture in coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's team, having obtained Portuguese citizenship in February at the insistence of 'General Felipao'. Yet Deco was met with considerable scepticism by Real Madrid superstar Luis Figo, among others. "You can learn foreign national anthems, but you can't feel them in your heart", said Figo in opposing the selection of foreign players for the Portuguese national team.

"I'm the one who decides here now", was Scolari's laconic reply. The coach with the authoritarian reputation got his own way in the case of Deco. And the new Portuguese citizen, who had previously hoped in vain to be called up to the Brazilian squad, celebrated a fantastic debut against his home country on 30 March. In a prestigious 2-1 victory over the five-time World Cup winners it was Deco, of all people, who scored the winning goal. On Wednesday evening Deco recalled the words of his grandfather: "He taught me to dream at night and work during the day. Now I have won the UEFA Champions League all my hard work as a footballer has finally proved worthwhile."