The playmaker who was once called three times better than Zinedine Zidane
In short: Rui Costa was a technical marvel of the pitch, a classic number 10 who orchestrated attacks with surgical precision. From a childhood discovery by Eusébio to becoming AC Milan's most expensive signing, his career defined an era of European football elegance.
Born on 29 March 1972, Rui Costa established himself as one of the world's premier attacking midfielders. Known for his exceptional vision, dribbling, and ability to score from distance, he was a quintessential playmaker. His talent was recognized early; at age five, his skills were so evident that the Portuguese legend Eusébio was impressed within ten minutes of a training session at Damaia Ginásio Clube.
Costa's career trajectory saw him dominate in both Portugal and Italy. After winning the 1991 FIFA World Youth Championship with Portugal, he returned to Benfica, where he secured a Primeira Liga title in 1993–94. His success in Italy was equally profound. At Fiorentina, he won two Coppa Italia trophies and a Supercoppa Italiana. In 2001, he moved to AC Milan in a deal that made him the club's most expensive transfer ever, with a fee of 85 billion lire (€43,898,836).
At Milan, Costa achieved the pinnacle of club football, winning the 2003 UEFA Champions League and the 2003 UEFA Super Cup. His technical mastery was so profound that during a 2002 Champions League match against Deportivo de La Coruña, a television commentator famously described him as being three times better than Zinedine Zidane. After retiring in 2008, he returned to Benfica, eventually serving as the club's 34th president.
On the international stage, Costa earned 94 caps for Portugal, scoring 26 goals. He was a vital component of the national team during several major tournaments, including Euro 2000 and Euro 2004, where he scored a crucial long-range goal against England in the quarter-finals.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Rui Costa
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