Deco, regretful, already knew it: he's better than Lamine Yamal, but he chose Roony Bardghji

Deco took over as sporting director of FC Barcelona in the summer of 2023 with as much excitement as responsibility. His close relationship with Laporta, the affection of the fans, and his legacy as a player made him the ideal figure to lead the project. From day one, he made the right decisions, such as the contract renewals of Pedri and Cubarsí; although the issue to which he has devoted the most time has been the management of Lamine Yamal.

The young Barça talent attracted the interest of half of Europe since his early debut, but the Portuguese knew how to send him a clear message: he would be Barça's beacon for the next decade. The renewal of the "10" was a management masterpiece, ensuring the continuity of the greatest diamond to emerge from La Masia since Messi. However, that same firm commitment to Lamine Yamal could become a double-edged sword for Deco after recent events.

Deco, regretful, already knew it: Estevao is better than Lamine Yamal

In the summer of 2024, when Lamine Yamal was already on track to become a global star, Deco made a crucial decision: to fully bet on him and give up another strategic signing. Barça had practically closed a deal with Estevao Willian, Chelsea's great Brazilian gem, with a set price and the player's desire to wear the Barça jersey.

However, in a way that's hard to understand today, Deco stopped the operation at the last moment. He argued that bringing in another winger like Estevao Willian made little sense with Lamine Yamal in full bloom. So it was, the Brazilian ended up leaving Palmeiras and signed for Chelsea, who did bet on him.

The problem is that soccer doesn't wait, and what happened last night at Stamford Bridge has raised doubts about Deco's management. Estevao scored a truly stunning goal against Barça, showing a maturity, power, and boldness unusual for someone his age. His performance made it clear that his ceiling could be even higher than Lamine Yamal's, a statement that's starting to circulate strongly in the Barça environment.

Deco, one year later, bet on Roony Bardghji

Meanwhile, one year after rejecting Estevao Willian, Deco and Flick agreed that Lamine Yamal needed a reliable backup to manage his minutes. The club's bet was Roony Bardghji, a talented but inconsistent winger who's still far from the level required to compete with Lamine. Although he has interesting qualities, his impact has been minimal and he's nowhere near the performance Estevao Willian has shown in London.

The comparison is inevitable. Deco canceled Estevao Willian's arrival because he blindly trusted Lamine Yamal's progression, but now he sees how his former target shines even more than the Barça "10". Beyond what the future may hold, what was seen at Stamford Bridge served as a harsh reminder: Barça let slip away a talent destined to define an era.

Time will tell if the decision was just a one-off mistake or an irreparable missed opportunity. For now, Deco already knows the debate is on.