Fluminense midfielder Deco worried about Brazilian football

Rio De Janerio, May 1 (IANS) Fluminense midfielder Deco has said Brazilian football is suffering from an unhealthy obsession with individual talent.

Deco, 34, stressed the fact that Brazil risks falling behind other countries if it fails to change its youth system to focus more on team play, reported Xinhua.

'However much talent we've had here, Brazilian football has always been about touch and passing but unfortunately I think that's coming to an end,' Deco told FIFA.com Monday.

'The prevailing attitude here now seems to be the idea that individual talent alone is the solution to every problem and that having one or two superstars in your team is enough to see you through.

'I don't think we're doing the right things at youth level. I get the impression that people are more concerned with winning titles than they are with developing complete players.'

Deco has been in superb form so far this season, helping Fluminense to Sunday's Carioca Cup final against Botafogo.

The Brazilian-born former Portugal international is also hoping to add a Copa Libertadores title to his Champions League medals with Porto (2004) and Barcelona (2006).

Fluminense only needs to win their return match against Internacional at home May 10 to advance to the quarter-finals of the competition.