Rui Costa

Rui Costa
Name	Rui Costa
Caption	Rui Costa in 2004
Fullname	Rui Manuel César Costa
Birth date	29 March 1972
Birth place	Amadora, Portugal
Height	1.80 m
Position	Midfielder
Years1	1990–1994
Clubs1	Benfica
Caps1	78
Goals1	13
Years2	1994–2001
Clubs2	Fiorentina
Caps2	215
Goals2	38
Years3	2001–2006
Clubs3	Milan
Caps3	124
Years4	2006–2008
Clubs4	Benfica
Caps4	43
Totalcaps	460
Totalgoals	60
Nationalyears1	1991–1994
Nationalteam1	Portugal U21
Nationalcaps1	19
Nationalyears2	1993–2004
Nationalteam2	Portugal
Nationalcaps2	94
Nationalgoals2	26
Manageryears1	2008–2009
Managerclubs1	Benfica (assistant)
Manageryears2	2010–2011
Managerclubs2	Benfica B (assistant)
Manageryears3	2012–2013
Managerclubs3	Benfica (assistant)
Manageryears4	2013–2020
Managerclubs4	Benfica (director of football)
Manageryears5	2020–2021
Managerclubs5	Benfica (vice-president)
Manageryears6	2021–
Managerclubs6	Benfica (president)

Rui Costa. Rui Manuel César Costa is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder, widely regarded as one of the finest playmakers of his generation. Renowned for his sublime vision, elegant technique, and precise passing, he enjoyed a distinguished club career with Benfica, Fiorentina, and Milan, and was a cornerstone of the Portugal national team's "Golden Generation". Following his retirement, he transitioned into football administration, eventually becoming president of Benfica.

Early life and education

Born in Amadora, a suburb of Lisbon, he developed his skills in the youth academy of local club Belenenses before joining the prestigious youth system of Benfica. His prodigious talent was evident early on, and he progressed rapidly through the ranks, making his professional debut for Benfica's first team in 1990. His formative years coincided with the emergence of a talented cohort of Portuguese players, including Luís Figo and João Vieira Pinto, who would later define an era for the national team.

Club career

His professional breakthrough came at Benfica, where he won the Primeira Liga title in 1994. That same year, he transferred to Serie A side Fiorentina, becoming an iconic figure in Florence and forming a legendary partnership with striker Gabriel Batistuta. Despite the club's financial troubles, he helped Fiorentina win the Coppa Italia twice and the Supercoppa Italiana. In 2001, he made a high-profile move to Milan for a then-club record fee, where he won major honours including the UEFA Champions League, the Serie A title, and the Coppa Italia. He returned to Benfica in 2006, winning another Taça da Liga before retiring in 2008.

International career

A key member of Portugal's "Golden Generation", he earned 94 caps for the national team between 1993 and 2004, scoring 26 goals. He represented his country at the European Championships in 1996, 2000, and 2004, and the World Cup in 2002. He was instrumental in Portugal's run to the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2000, and famously scored a spectacular extra-time winner against England in the group stage of UEFA Euro 2004, which Portugal hosted. He announced his international retirement after the final of that tournament, where Portugal lost to Greece.

Style of play

Celebrated as a classic number 10, he was a quintessential playmaker known for his extraordinary passing range, creativity, and composure in possession. His technique allowed him to execute defence-splitting through balls and orchestrate attacks from deep midfield positions. He possessed excellent close control and dribbling ability, often compared to legendary midfielders like Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane for his elegance and influence on the pitch. His vision and ability to dictate the tempo of a game made him a central figure for both club and country throughout his career.

Career statistics

During his club career, he made over 460 league appearances in Primeira Liga and Serie A, scoring 60 goals. For Benfica, he played 121 total matches across two spells, scoring 18 goals. At Fiorentina, he made 215 Serie A appearances, netting 38 times. His stint at Milan yielded 124 league appearances and 4 goals. Internationally, his 94 caps place him among Portugal's most-capped players, with his 26 goals for the Seleção highlighting his scoring threat from midfield.

Honours

His trophy cabinet includes the UEFA Champions League and the Serie A title with Milan. He won the Primeira Liga and the Taça da Liga with Benfica. In Italy with Fiorentina, he secured two Coppa Italia titles and a Supercoppa Italiana. Individually, he was named Portuguese Footballer of the Year in 1994 and was included in the UEFA Euro All-Star Team in 2000. He was also awarded the Order of Prince Henry, Grand Officer by the President of Portugal.

Category:Portuguese footballers Category:Association football midfielders Category:1972 births Category:Living people