'Beginning of era' for young Barcelona team - Deco

Winning successive La Liga titles is just the start for this new-look Barcelona side, says sporting director Deco.

Barca beat Real Madrid earlier this month to win the Spanish top flight with three games to spare and retain the title.

With a new generation of La Masia academy graduates - including the likes of Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi and Fermin Lopez - now integral to their team, Deco says it is "the beginning of the history of this team".

"It is true that we won two La Ligas but these players want to win more, they believe that they can win more," Deco told BBC Sport.

"That's why it's important because if the players believe they can acheive more important things, you see they still want to do something important.

"I believe that this team for me is the beginning of the era, the beginning of the history of this team because they are so young and still want to win something important."

In the process of guiding Barcelona to their second successive title, Hansi Flick has built a team which means they will not have to "go to the market for four to five players", said Deco.

They went on an 11-game winning run to coast to the title, although they exited the Champions League in the quarter-finals.

England forward Marcus Rashford spent the season on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United - and while his future is undecided, the 28-year-old has suggested he wants to stay in Spain next season.

Deco would not be drawn on Rashford's future but believes he "deserves" the La Liga title.

Although Rashford has not been a guaranteed starter, he scored a crucial goal with a fantastic free-kick to break the deadlock in El Clasico against Real Madrid.

Deco said: "We knew he had these kinds of skills, I saw him scoring at United many times, but this goal was unbelievable. It was a fantastic goal."

Rashford could be signed by the Catalan club on a permanent basis for 35m euros (£30m).

Deco added: "Marcus has helped us a lot because he came on loan, it is not easy to come on loan as a player like him because he is a top player.

"He helped us a lot because he had the responsibility to replace Raphinha, it is not easy but he did very well.

"Sometimes he [is] on the bench and it's not easy but he reacted very well and he did everything.

"His season was very good and we are happy he won La Liga with us. He deserves [it], he works a lot and works hard to be here. We are happy with him."

Rashford played 32 times in the league for Barcelona this season, scoring eight times and registering seven assists.

He also scored six and assisted three in 11 Champions League appearances.