Deco wants Italian job

Barcelona star Deco has hinted he would like to play in Italy one day.

The Portuguese international admitted he would be interested in playing in Serie A at some point in the future, but that he is happy at new club Barcelona.

"Play in Italy? Why not? It's an experience I'd like to make," Deco told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"But now I have a four-year contract with Barcelona."

Meanwhile, Deco believes Milan ace Andrei Shevchenko is his biggest threat to winning the European and Fifa World Footballer of Year award.

Deco is in the running for both awards after his success at Porto last season when he helped them to win the UEFA Champions League.

Both men will come into competition with each other next week with Barcelona making the trip to Milan in the Champions League and Deco rates Shevchenko extremely highly.

"I am not the only candidate. I rate (Thierry) Henry, Ronaldinho and Shevchenko," said Deco.

"The most dangerous rival, however, has to be Shevchenko. He hardly ever misses a chance, either for Milan or Ukraine.

"Barcelona will face Milan in the Champions League but it's not really Deco against Sheva. However, it's the encounter between the two strongest sides in the group."

Deco also believes he is a similar player to Juventus star Pavel Nedved in the way they both play.

"I don't look to be like anyone," added Deco. "But I think I have similar characteristics to Nedved because he too makes everything for the team - he attacks, he defends, he scores... He's the greatest.

"And he won the last Golden Ball, it wouldn't be bad being his successor."