DECO TO END PORTUGAL CAREER

Deco has announced he will retire from international football after this summer's World Cup.

The Brazilian-born Portuguese international has been one of his adopted country's most influential players since taking up citizenship in 2002, and so far has 71 international caps to his name.

'I will close my cycle after the World Cup,' he said. 'Because of my age and because it is tiring, I will say goodbye to the national team after the World Cup.

'The title for Chelsea will be my professional fulfilment,' he added, before mentioning he intends to return to Brazil when his club contract expires in 2011.

During his international career the 32-year-old former Porto and Barcelona man has helped Portugal reach the Final of Euro 2004 on home soil, and the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup in Germany.