After residing in Portugal for five years he received Portuguese citizenship in 2002. He played for the Portuguese national team from 2003 to 2010. Deco played in two World Cups and two European Championships for Portugal. In 2013 he retired after battling a hamstring injury. In 2004 he won the Silver Ball Ballon D’or. He started the charity Deco Institute near Sao Paulo, Brazil. Deco has five children and has been married twice.