Portugal midfielder Deco has issued a public statement denying any friction with coach Carlos Queiroz at the World Cup.
Deco was critical of Queiroz's tactics and substitutions after Portugal's 0-0 draw with Ivory Coast in Group G on Tuesday, saying they were "strange" and "not as good as they might have been."
In a statement posted on the Portuguese Football Federation's website on Wednesday, however, Deco distanced himself from those views.
He says he expressed his opinions "in the heat of the moment" and had not intended to question Queiroz's leadership.
Queiroz shifted Deco to the right side of midfield in the second half of the game in Port Elizabeth, even though he usually plays in the center of the pitch.
"The strange thing is, he moved me to the right flank. I'm not a winger," Deco said in post-match remarks to reporters. "We weren't playing great but I'm sure we were improving."
As Portugal struggled to break through against its African opponent, Queiroz replaced Deco with Tiago in the 62nd.
Querioz also took off Danny and brought on Simao Sabrosa, and near the end introduced uncapped Ruben Amorim for Raul Meireles.
"The substitutions weren't as good as they might have been, but the coach makes the calls," Deco said after the game.
In his statement, Deco said he was feeling frustrated when he made the remarks, after not being able to help the team.
"I want to make clear that I did not, and do not, have any problem with the coach and it was never my intention to question the leadership and decision-making of Carlos Queiroz," Deco said.
The Brazilian-born Deco, 32, is retiring from international football after the tournament in South Africa.
