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<strong>Former Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder Deco has announced his retirement from competitive football pulling curtains on a 17 year long and decorated career.</strong>
The Portuguese playmaker has won the Champions League twice with FC Porto and later with Barcelona before teaming up with Luis Felipe Scolari at Stamford Bridge.<br />
The 36-year-old announced the news via a statement which read: "I am sadly informing that my career as a professional player is over.<br />
"The last minutes for Fluminense on Wednesday were the last ones in my 17-year career as a footballer.<br />
"I would like to continue until the end of the season [in Decemeber] but I can't."<br />
Deco thanked Fluminense, the club he joined following his departure from Chelsea back in 2010, and insisted that he has a great time in Brazil.<br />
"I was very happy at the club, I would like to have helped more but my body doesn't allow it.<br />
"I made it clear that I made an effort to play until the end of the year and many supported me, but my muscles can't handle it anymore.<br />
"Thank you for all the support, confidence and affection."
Written by Prateek Sarkar
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