For Deco, Ronaldinho was class apart

Not many in the footballing world can boast of what Deco's managed to do in his career. He's one of the few players to have rubbed shoulders with Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. So, asking him who is the best played he's ever played with sounds just about right.

Having retired in 2013, the midfielder is now a Euro 2016 pundit for an Indian television channel. Speaking to the media on Friday, the 38-year-old said it was the Brazilian Ronaldinho, who figures at the top of his list.

"Ronnie (Ronaldinho) was a class apart. He didn't score as much as Messi and Ronaldo but he was the best in the years that he was at the top. The thing about Ronnie and Messi is that those two were born with talent. As far as Ronaldo is concerned, it is amazing how competitive he is. The hardwork he puts in training is hardly seen in any other player," said Deco, who played alongside Rolandinho and Messi for Barcelona (2004-2008) and Ronaldo with the Portugal national team.

Talk about the current tournament in France, and Deco, who played 75 times for Portugal between 2003 and 2010 said the new format that involves third-placed teams to qualify into the knockout stages gives minnows a chance to make some noise.

"I'm all for that. We saw Northern Ireland beat Ukraine on Thursday and this is what happens when you give such sides a chance. There have been no high-scoring games. That tells you how tight the games have been. I doubt we will get to see many 5-0 or 6-0 games this time around," said Deco, who has his money on Germany to win the tournament.

Deco was one of Portugal's 'Golden generation' team that included the likes of Luis Figo, Rui Costa and Pauleta. A side filled with talent but always coming up short having finished runners-up at Euro 2004 as hosts and semifinalists in the 2006 World Cup. With expectations from his country not as high as previous tournaments, Deco hoped Ronaldo ends the country's wait.

"We were a team filled with talent that used to be almost there but never managed to cross the finishing line. Ronaldo doesn't think about pressure. He knows about it. He wants to do well," said the midfielder who found a certain resemblance between the Portugal side of the past and the current Belgium side.

"They (Belgium) have a fantastic team. They're full of individual talent in every department. It's just how well they gel as a team that will tell how far they go," added the two-time Champions League winner.

KNOW DECO

Porto

Primeira Liga: 1998-99, 2002-03, 2003-04
Champions League: 2004

Barcelona

La Liga: 2004-05, 2005-06
Champions League: 2006

Chelsea

Premier League: 2009-10

Portugal (2003-2010)
Caps: 75
Goals: 5