Ronaldinho hails Deco after missing flight for testimonial

Rio de Janeiro, July 26 (IANS) Ronaldinho took to Twitter to congratulate former Barcelona teammate Deco after missing his flight to play in the retired midfielder's testimonial.

Ronaldinho was invited to feature in Friday's Barcelona-Porto friendly in Lisbon alongside former Barca teammates like Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o, Xavi and Carles Puyol, reports Xinhua.

"One of the most fantastic players I played with," Ronaldinho wrote on Twitter. "Congratulations for your victorious career, you deserve it."

Brazilian news portal Lancenet said Ronaldinho's absence from the fixture at Lisbon's Estadio do Dragao came after he failed to show up for his flight from Brazil.

The 34-year-old had been given permission by his club Atletico Mineiro to take a week off to play in the match, which ended in a 4-4 draw.

Deco, a UEFA Champions League winner with both Porto and Barcelona, scored a goal for each Friday having swapped sides at halftime.