Portugal Will play with 3 Brazilians Born

The purified fluid and the game ball skills have earned him his players nicknamed "the Brazilians of Europe" and a trio of natives of Brazil for Portugal in the World Cup will surely spice up the team with a distinctive Latin flavor.

The central defender Pepe, midfielder Deco and striker Liedson were consolidated in the Portuguese league, but were never called to the Brazil team. Interested in playing a selection, the three became naturalized Portuguese.

Ironically, Portugal will now play against Brazil in Group G World Cup.

"I have no idea how it will be," Deco said recently, referring to the game that will in Durban on 25 June. "It will be different to play against Brazil, but I play with Portugal with all my heart and soul."

Reflecting on the same dilemma, Liedson said: "I am totally committed to Portugal. I feel like I was born here and my teammates treat me like a Portuguese. Still, I will not sing any hymns. It would be nice to me sing Brazilian national anthem, so do not sing for respect, "he recently told ESPN.

Brazilians often take Portuguese nationality. They speak the same language, Brazil was a colony of Portugal until 1822, and migration has left many families mixed roots in Europe and Latin America.

The most successful coach of all time Portugal was the Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari, who guided Portugal to the Euro 2004 final and 2006 World Cup semifinals.

Still, some Portuguese fans were not happy when Scolari fielded Deco on his debut in 2003. But his gamble paid him results when Deco scored the goal in a rare victory over Brazil in their first game with the jersey Lusa.

The Chelsea playmaker was launched to stardom with Porto, winning the European Champions League in 2003. His playing style is purely Brazilian.

Pepe, who also appeared in the Porto and now plays for Real Madrid, won a starting job until it was relegated in December with a knee injury. Its importance was clear in the squad when coach Carlos Queiroz was summoned before receiving endorsement from doctors.

It is a defense that has not shyness to go to attack. His versatility showed in qualifying when he played five games as a central defender and six in the midfield.

Pepe tries to get ready to play in the opening match Tuesday against Ivory Coast: "I really want to play with the team ... I've been away six months but all have been very supportive."

Liedson was the leading scorer in the Portuguese league in 2004-5 and 2006-7 campaign and his goal was crucial to his national team debut in September, to match against Denmark and keep alive the hope that classifies Portugal the World Cup.

The performance of the three Brazilians living in Portugal's intentions to achieve its first world title.