Rui Costa Explained

Rui Costa
Order:34th
Office:President of Benfica
Term Start:10 October 2021
Predecessor:Luís Filipe Vieira
Birth Name:Rui Manuel César Costa
Birth Date:1972 3, df=yes
Birth Place:Amadora, Portugal
Nationality:Portuguese
Height:1.80 m[1]
Occupation:Footballer
Module:
Embed:yes
Header-Color:lavender
Position:Attacking midfielder
Youthyears1:1977–1990
Youthclubs1:Benfica
Years1:1990–1994
Clubs1:Benfica
Caps1:78
Goals1:13
Years2:1990–1991
Clubs2:Fafe (loan)
Caps2:38
Goals2:6
Years3:1994–2001
Clubs3:Fiorentina
Caps3:215
Goals3:38
Years4:2001–2006
Clubs4:AC Milan
Caps4:124
Goals4:4
Years5:2006–2008
Clubs5:Benfica
Caps5:43
Goals5:5
Totalcaps:498
Totalgoals:66
Nationalyears1:1990
Nationalteam1:Portugal U18
Nationalcaps1:4
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:1991
Nationalteam2:Portugal U20
Nationalcaps2:11
Nationalgoals2:1
Nationalyears3:1992–1994
Nationalteam3:Portugal U21
Nationalcaps3:19
Nationalgoals3:7
Nationalyears4:1993–2004
Nationalteam4:Portugal
Nationalcaps4:94
Nationalgoals4:26

Rui Manuel César Costa (pronounced as /pt/; born 29 March 1972) is a Portuguese former professional footballer who is the 34th president of sports club S.L. Benfica.[2] He also succeeded Luís Filipe Vieira as president of the club's SAD board of directors.

Costa spent the majority of his football career with Benfica in Portugal and Fiorentina and AC Milan in Italy. In a top-flight career spanning 17 years, he won several trophies, including one Primeira Liga title, one Taça de Portugal, one Serie A title, three Coppa Italia, one UEFA Champions League and one UEFA Super Cup. A Portuguese international, he amassed 94 caps and scored 26 goals for A Seleção and represented the country in three UEFA European Championships and one FIFA World Cup.

Costa usually played as an attacking midfielder and was particularly known for his excellent technique, playmaking ability, and eye for goal from midfield. He is regarded as one of the best midfielders in world football and one of Portugal's best players of all time.[3] [4] [5] In 2004, he was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100 as one of the 125 greatest living football players.

Club career

Benfica

At age five, Costa joined the infant indoor football team of Damaia Ginásio Clube. Costa tried his luck at Benfica. Within ten minutes of training, Portugal legend Eusébio, who was supervising the youngsters, was impressed with Costa's skills. Up until 1990, Costa played for Benfica's youth squads. In his first full season, he was loaned to A.D. Fafe on a season-long deal.[6]

In 1991, after the Under-21 World Cup, which Portugal won after a penalty kick scored by Costa, he returned to Benfica. In his first full season with Benfica, he was featured regularly in Benfica's team. In his next two seasons, his role in the team would prove to be pivotal as Benfica captured two trophies. He formed a formidable midfield partnership with João Vieira Pinto. During his last two seasons with Benfica in his first spell with the club, he won the Taça de Portugal in 1993 and the Portuguese First Division title in 1993–94.[7] [8] This would be Benfica's last league title for the next ten seasons.

Fiorentina

At the end of his third season in Benfica's senior squad, Fiorentina offered for the 21-year-old midfielder.

His departure from Fiorentina was discussed every season, since many clubs constantly showed interest in signing him. However, he only left Fiorentina one season before their bankruptcy in the 2001–02 season. With the Florentine club, Costa won the Coppa Italia twice, also winning a Supercoppa Italiana. In June 2001, Fiorentina agreed to sell both Costa and Francesco Toldo to Parma for 140 billion lire.[9] Despite both players' refusal to join, Costa and Toldo were sold to AC Milan and Inter Milan, respectively, for the same total transfer fee.

AC Milan

Fatih Terim was the coach of Fiorentina in the 2000–01 season. When he was leaving Fiorentina for AC Milan, he took Costa with him,[10] paying 85 billion lire (€43,898,836) for the player.[11] [12] In so doing, Costa became Milan's most expensive transfer of all time.

On 27 September 2001, Costa scored his first goal for Milan to open a 4–0 home win (6–0 aggregate) in the first round of the UEFA Cup against BATE Borisov.[13] He added further goals in wins over CSKA Sofia (second round)[14] and Hapoel Tel Aviv (quarter-finals)[15] in a run to the last four. He was hampered by injuries throughout the whole season, including a wrist injury on his debut, while his form was inconsistent.[16] Playing away at Fiorentina, he greeted his former club's fans in tears, which led to an angry reaction when he returned to Milan.[16]

Ahead of his second season at Milan, Costa's faced competition from Brazilian new signing Rivaldo, but secured a starting place against him.[16] On 24 September 2002, he assisted three goals in a 4–0 Champions League group win at Deportivo de La Coruña, leading a television commentator to call him three times better than Zinedine Zidane.[16] He scored his first domestic goal on 18 December, equalising in a 5–1 win (6–2 aggregate) against Ancona at the San Siro in the second leg of the last 16 of the Coppa Italia.[17] In the 6–3 aggregate final win over Roma in May, he played only 30 minutes as a substitute as Brazilians Rivaldo and Serginho were preferred in attacking midfield.[18] [19] This was to rest him for the 2003 UEFA Champions League Final against Juventus, in which he was substituted injured for Massimo Ambrosini near the end of regulation time in a goalless draw that the Rossoneri won on penalties at Old Trafford.[20] On 29 August, he played in the 1–0 victory over Porto in the 2003 UEFA Super Cup, in which he crossed for the only goal by Andriy Shevchenko.[21]

From 2003–04, Costa's playing time was limited by the emergent Brazilian youngster Kaká.[22] He contributed his first three league goals to Milan's title-winning campaign, starting with one in a 5–0 home win over Ancona on 25 January.[23]

Return to Benfica

On 25 May 2006, Costa's return to Benfica in the upcoming season was announced in a press conference.[24] He had been released from Milan, after both the player and the club reached an agreement to end his €4.6 million per year contract, in order to fulfill his long-held dream of returning to Benfica.[25] [26] Costa started on his return in a 2006–07 UEFA Champions League qualifier against Austria Wien in August 2006,[27] and the second leg saw Costa score in his home return. Despite Costa being used as a regular under manager Fernando Santos when available, the season was impaired with injuries: he suffered a muscle tear in October, which kept him out of action for three months,[28] and another muscular injury in February.[29]

Prior to the end of the season, Costa announced the following one would be his last as a professional.[30] After assuring the qualification to the Champions League group stage, which included a brace from Costa against Copenhagen,[31] Benfica was drawn against Costa's former club Milan.;[32] he returned to play one last time at the San Siro on 18 September 2007. Costa remained a first team choice under José Antonio Camacho and Fernando Chalana and his displays would earn him the SJPF Player of the Month award for September 2007 and Benfica's Player of the Year award for 2007.[33] Costa played his final match on 11 May 2008 at the Estádio da Luz against Vitória de Setúbal. He was substituted in the 86th minute to a standing ovation from the spectators.[34] The season, as well as the previous one, ended trophyless.

International career

Youth and Euro 96

Costa was part of the Portugal national under-20 team under manager Carlos Queiroz who won the 1991 FIFA World Youth Championship on home soil. After a goalless draw with Brazil in the final at his club ground of the Estádio da Luz, he scored the winning penalty in the final.[35]

On 31 March 1993, Costa made his debut for the senior national team in a 1–1 draw away to Switzerland, in 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification.[36] In his third game on 19 June in another qualifier at home to Malta, he scored his first goal in a 4–0 win.[37] He was part of the squad at UEFA Euro 1996 in England, where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by runners-up the Czech Republic.[38]

Euro 2000

Costa was sent off for the only time in his entire career on 6 September 1997,[39] in a 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifier away to Germany. While being substituted, he was shown a red card by referee Marc Batta for leaving the pitch too slowly, meaning that Portugal could not bring Sérgio Conceição on as a replacement. Minutes after the dismissal, the Germans equalised through Ulf Kirsten, meaning that they and not the Portuguese would go to the final tournament in France.[40] Costa said on the 20th anniversary of the controversy that he would only forgive Batta if he apologised to the Portuguese nation.[41]

In UEFA Euro 2000 qualification, Costa scored six times in home and away victories over Liechtenstein (two each) and Hungary.[42] [43] At the finals in Belgium and the Netherlands, he assisted the last two goals by João Pinto and Nuno Gomes in a 3–2 comeback win over England in a run to the semi-finals.[44]

2002 World Cup and Euro 2004

Portugal were eliminated at the group stage in the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea. Costa was dropped for Pinto after a shock 3–2 opening loss to the United States, but came on as a substitute in the next game and finished Capucho's cross to conclude a 4–0 win over Poland.[45]

Before UEFA Euro 2004 on home soil, Costa and Luís Figo criticised the decision of manager Luiz Felipe Scolari to select his Brazilian compatriot Deco – a player in Costa's same position.[46] After being substituted at half time in another shock opening loss, this time to Greece, Costa was dropped for Deco in the next match against Russia.[47] He came off the bench in that game and finished a Cristiano Ronaldo cross to secure a 2–0 victory.[48] In the quarter-finals against England, again as a substitute, he scored a long-range goal in extra time as the game finished 2–2 and went to penalties; he missed in the shootout but his team prevailed.[49]

Costa retired from international football after the unexpected defeat to the Greeks again in the Euro 2004 final.[50] He scored 26 goals in 94 games, making him ninth-highest capped player and seventh-highest goalscorer.[51]

Style of play

Costa is considered by pundits to have been one of the greatest midfielders both of his generation, as well as one of Portugal's best players ever, and was regarded as one of the best playmakers in the world in his prime.[3] [52] [4] [5] [53] A classic number 10, he usually played in a creative role as an attacking midfielder behind the strikers, but was also capable of playing in midfield as a deep-lying playmaker, as a second striker, or as a winger. A quick, technically gifted and elegant player, throughout his career, he was renowned for his excellent dribbling skills, close control, intelligent movement, vision, and precise passing, which made him an effective assist provider, and enabled him to create space for his teammates, or orchestrate his teams' attacking moves. Although he was mainly known to be a creative team player, he also possessed an eye for goal from midfield, and was an accurate striker of the ball with either foot, in particular from outside the area. He was also an accurate free kick and penalty taker.[4] [54] [55] [56] [57] [58] [59] [60] [61] [62] [63] Despite his talent and ability, however, he was also known for being inconsistent.[64]

Media

Costa was sponsored by American sportswear company Nike and appeared in Nike commercials.[65] In 1996, he starred in a Nike commercial titled "Good vs Evil" in a gladiatorial game set in a Roman amphitheatre. Appearing alongside football players from around the world, including Ronaldo, Paolo Maldini, Eric Cantona, Luís Figo and Patrick Kluivert, they defend "The Beautiful Game" against a team of demonic warriors, before it culminates with Cantona striking the ball and destroying evil.[66] Rui Costa features in EA Sports' FIFA football video game series; he was included in the Ultimate Team Legends in FIFA 16.[67]

Post-playing career

Sporting director

The day after his last professional match, Costa was presented as director of football at Benfica. During the summer 2008 transfer window, Costa brought head coach Quique Sánchez Flores, playmaker Pablo Aimar, winger José Antonio Reyes, and striker David Suazo, the latter two on loan.[68] The following Summer, Costa tried to strengthen the team after a disappointing league campaign the previous season; he signed striker Javier Saviola, attacking midfielder Ramires, and defensive midfielder Javi García, led by manager Jorge Jesus.[69] [70] [71] [72] Benfica would win the 2009–10 Primeira Liga, the first league title since 2004–05, and the Taça da Liga that season, defeating Porto in the final.

Administration

On 14 May 2008, Costa was appointed an administrator of Benfica SAD.[73] For the 2020–24 quadrennial, he became a vice-president of the club's board of directors, as part of Luís Filipe Vieira's list for a sixth consecutive mandate.[74] After acting as interim president of the club and its SAD from 9 July 2021,[75] in the aftermath of Vieira suspending his presidency due to arrest in operation Cartão Vermelho (Red Card),[76] [77] Costa was elected the 34th president of Benfica on 9 October, assuming office the following day. With 84.48% of the votes, he defeated candidate Francisco Benitez, who received 12.24%.[78] [77]

During election campaign, Costa had pledged, among other promises, a forensic audit of the club's SAD (released in June 2024),[79] a revision of the club's statutes (the board's first proposal, criticized by the Commission for Revision of the Statutes,[80] was made available on 14 July 2023 and is open for discussion and improvement suggestions by club members),[81] transparency regarding football transfers, retention of players "made in Seixal", a reduction of the number of players, a maximum wage for players, and improvements to Estádio da Luz.[82]

Including his interim role, the men's football team was trophyless under his first year of presidency. Back in January 2022, Costa had said that his signature on player contracts under investigation by authorities in Cartão Vermelho did not imply he was in collusion with anyone.[83] During the 2022–23 winter transfer window, Costa promised not to release central midfielder Enzo Fernández unless a club paid the player's buyout clause,[84] but Fernández left Benfica via negotiation on 31 January 2023, with Benfica paying to "intermediary services" for the transfer.[85] After signing with Roger Schmidt, Benfica's first non-Portuguese manager since Flores, the club won the 2022–23 Primeira Liga, ending a four-year trophy wait. Benfica started the next season by winning the Portuguese Super Cup, but failed to win any other trophy, despite an investment of €100 million.

Personal life

Costa was married to Rute from 1994 to 2013, and fathered two sons.[86] The elder, Filipe, is CEO of Footlab, a football agency,[87] while the younger, Hugo, is a footballer.[88]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[89]
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Fafe (loan)1990–91Segunda Divisão38600386
Benfica1991–92Primeira Liga214307010324
1992–93234414010325
1993–943453184204710
Total78131021944011119
Fiorentina1994–95Serie A31940359
1995–9634472416
1996–97282108010382
1997–9832352375
1998–99311074103914
1999–200030440142486
2000–012967220388
Total2153835102521027650
AC Milan2001–02Serie A22010103333
2002–0325051180481
2003–04283406030413
2004–05241409010381
2005–062503340323
Total12441744734019211
Benfica2006–07Primeira Liga1403051221
2007–0829543122004510
Total43573173006711
Career total498666919108129068497

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[90]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Portugal1993 7 2
1994 5 1
1995 7 3
1996 11 2
1997 4 0
1998 5 3
1999 9 6
2000 13 3
2001 6 0
2002 7 2
2003 11 1
2004 9 3
Total9426

Scores and results list Portugal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Costa goal.

List of international goals scored by Rui Costa[91]
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
119 June 1993Estádio do Bessa, Porto, Portugal2–04–0World Cup 1994 Qualifying
25 September 1993Kadrioru Stadium, Tallinn, Estonia1–02–0World Cup 1994 Qualifying
37 September 1994Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland1–02–1Euro 1996 Qualifying
415 August 1995Sportpark Eschen-Mauren, Eschen<-- DO NOT LINK, see for further guidance -->, Liechtenstein3–07–0Euro 1996 Qualifying
56–0
615 September 1995Estádio da Luz (1954), Lisbon, Portugal1–03–0Euro 1996 Qualifying
724 January 1996Parc des Princes, Paris, France2–12–3Friendly
89 October 1996Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana, Albania3–03–0World Cup 1998 Qualifying
919 August 1998Estádio de São Miguel (Ponta Delgada), Ponta Delgada<-- DO NOT LINK, see for further guidance -->, Portugal1–02–1Friendly
102–0
116 September 1998Puskás Ferenc Stadium, Budapest, Hungary3–13–1Euro 2000 Qualifying
1231 March 1999Sportpark Eschen-Mauren, Eschen, Liechtenstein1–05–0Euro 2000 Qualifying
135–0
149 June 1999Estádio Cidade de Coimbra, Coimbra<-- DO NOT LINK, see for further guidance -->, Portugal7–08–0Euro 2000 Qualifying
158–0
1618 August 1999Estádio Nacional, Lisbon, Portugal1–04–0Friendly
179 October 1999Estádio da Luz (1954), Lisbon, Portugal1–03–0Euro 2000 Qualifying
1829 March 2000Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria, Portugal1–12–1Friendly
1916 August 2000Estádio do Fontelo, Viseu, Portugal3–15–1Friendly
203 September 2000Kadrioru Stadium, Tallinn, Estonia1–03–12002 World Cup Qualifying
2110 June 2002Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju, South Korea4–04–02002 World Cup
2216 October 2002Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden3–23–2Friendly
2311 October 2003Estádio do Restelo, Lisbon, Portugal3–25–3Friendly
2429 May 2004Estádio Municipal de Águeda, Águeda, Portugal3–03–0Friendly
2516 June 2004Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal2–02–0Euro 2004
2624 June 2004Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal2–12–2Euro 2004

Honours

Benfica

Fiorentina

AC Milan[54]

Portugal U18

Portugal U20

Portugal U21

Portugal

Individual

Orders

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rui Costa. S.L. Benfica. https://web.archive.org/web/20070624202007/http://www.slbenfica.pt/English/players.asp?lg=eng&idEpoca=347&idCompeticao=34&idJogador=11566. 24 June 2007.
  2. Web site: Rui Costa eleito o 34.º presidente do Benfica com 84,48% dos votos. 10 October 2021. TSF Rádio Notícias.
  3. Web site: SportMob – Best Portuguese Players of All Time . 25 March 2021 .
  4. News: Euro 2000 Profile – Manuel Rui Costa. BBC Sport. 18 April 2017.
  5. Web site: Rui Costa, il Maestro che ha incantato in Italia. tuttomercatoweb.com. it. Siciliano. Vincenzo. 12 November 2016. 27 May 2019.
  6. Web site: Associação Desportiva de Fafe. ZeroZero. 15 December 2012. pt.
  7. Web site: Campeonato Nacional da I Divisão 1993/94. ZeroZero. 15 December 2012. pt.
  8. Web site: Taça de Portugal 1992/1993. ZeroZero. 15 December 2012. pt.
  9. News: Toldo e Rui Costa al Parma Buffon a un passo dalla Juve. 29 June 2001. 4 August 2017. La Repubblica. it.
  10. News: Milan snap up £30m Rui Costa. 3 July 2001. 31 March 2010. BBC Sport.
  11. A.C. Fiorentina S.p.A. bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2001 (in Italian), PDF purchased from Italian C.C.I.A.A.
  12. News: Rui Costa in rossonero. 3 July 2001. 4 August 2017. RAI Sport. it. 8 November 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121108051620/http://www2.raisport.rai.it/news/rubriche/cmercato/200107/03/3b41e8f804c82/. dead.
  13. News: L'altro Milan strapazza il Bate Borisov (4–0). The other Milan destroy BATE Borisov (4–0) . 23 June 2022 . La Repubblica . 27 September 2001 . Italian.
  14. News: Milan, facile vittoria con un debolissimo Cska. Milan, easy victory against a very weak CSKA . 23 June 2022 . La Repubblica . 18 October 2001 . Italian.
  15. News: Hapoel dream ends . 23 June 2022 . BBC Sport . 21 March 2002.
  16. News: Lawrence . Amy . Real challenge for Rui Costa is to beat Spanish at their own game . 1 November 2023 . The Guardian . 17 November 2002.
  17. News: L'Ancona spaventa il Milan poi è [''sic''] valanga rossonera]. Ancona scare Milan then Rossonera avalanche. 23 June 2022 . La Repubblica . 18 December 2002 . Italian.
  18. News: Crollo della Roma, il Milan mette le mani sulla Coppa Italia. Roma collapse, Milan get their hands on the Coppa Italia . 23 June 2022 . La Repubblica . 20 May 2003 . Italian.
  19. News: Al Milan anche la Coppa Italia. Coppa Italia for Milan as well . 23 June 2022 . La Repubblica . 31 May 2003 . Italian.
  20. News: Glendenning . Barry . AC Milan 0 – 0 Juventus . 23 June 2022 . The Guardian . 28 May 2003.
  21. News: Milan win Super Cup . 23 June 2022 . BBC Sport . 29 August 2003.
  22. News: Whittle . Richard . Milan go cuckoo for Kaka . 23 June 2022 . UEFA . 22 October 2003.
  23. News: Il Milan travolge l'Ancona e sente aria di primato. Milan overwhelm Ancona and feel an air of primacy. 23 June 2022 . La Repubblica . 25 January 2004 . Italian.
  24. Web site: Rui Costa assina hoje. Rui Costa signs today. Record. 22 December 2012. 25 May 2006. pt.
  25. Web site: Stats: Salaries in Serie A . AC Milan Forums.
  26. Web site: Rui Costa abdica de 700 mil contos/ano. Rui Costa abdicates 700 thousand contos per year. Record. 22 December 2012. 27 May 2006. pt.
  27. Web site: Austria Wien 1–1 Benfica. zerozero. 22 December 2012. 22 August 2006. pt.
  28. Web site: Departamento médico confirma paragem de Rui Costa. Medical Department doctor confirms Rui Costa's stop. https://archive.today/20130416133626/http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=284623. dead. 16 April 2013. Record. 22 December 2012. 3 October 2006. pt.
  29. Web site: Nova lesão muscular pode afastar Rui Costa por um mês. New muscle injury could sideline Rui Costa for a month. Diário de Notícias. 10 March 2023. 21 February 2007.
  30. Web site: Rui Costa: "Próxima época é a última". Rui Costa: «The next season will be the last». Record. 10 March 2023. 28 May 2007. pt.
  31. Web site: Benfica 2–1 FC København. zerozero. 22 December 2012. pt.
  32. Web site: Holders begin with Benfica. UEFA. 14 September 2007. 10 March 2023. pt.
  33. Web site: Rui Costa futebolista do ano. Rui Costa footballer of the year. Record. 12 March 2023. 29 February 2008. pt.
  34. Web site: Benfica 3–0 V. Setúbal. zerozero. 22 December 2012. pt.
  35. News: Geracao de Ouro: Birth of Portugal's golden generation of footballers . 1 November 2023 . FIFA . 16 April 2023.
  36. News: Rui Costa: "É um sonho poder voltar ao Benfica" . Rui Costa: "It's a dream to be able to return to Benfica". 1 November 2023 . Record . 24 January 2003 . Portuguese.
  37. News: Rui Costa: O tesouro do cofre-forte virou património mundial. Rui Costa: The treasure from the vault who became world heritage . 1 November 2023 . Record . 3 October 2001 . Portuguese.
  38. News: Czechs bid for '96 revival in Portugal reunion . 1 November 2023 . UEFA . 19 June 2012.
  39. News: Há 20 anos, Rui Costa era expulso pela primeira (e única) vez. 20 years ago, Rui Costa was sent off for the first (and only) time . 1 November 2023 . SIC Notícias . 6 September 2017 . Portuguese.
  40. News: Foi há 25 anos que Marc Batta levou Rui Costa às lágrimas e deixou Portugal fora do Mundial. It was on this day 25 years ago that Marc Batta left Rui Costa in tears and left Portugal out of the World Cup . 1 November 2023 . Record . 6 September 2022 . Portuguese.
  41. News: Rui Costa sobre Batta: "Desculpo-o quando pedir desculpa ao meu País". Rui Costa on Batta: "I will forgive him when he apologises to my country . 1 November 2023 . Mais Futebol . 6 September 2017 . Portuguese.
  42. News: Rodrigues . Berta . Uma história de goleadas e um escândalo: "Passámos a noite a festejar num bar. Aliás, em vários bares". A history of thrashings and a scandal: "We spent the night partying in a bar. Or more like, in several bars". 1 November 2023 . Mais Futebol . 23 March 2023 . Portuguese.
  43. News: Selecção e o velho hábito de ser feliz com a Hungria . 1 November 2023. National team and the old habit of being happy with Hungary . Mais Futebol . 8 September 2009 . Portuguese.
  44. News: England floored by thrilling Portugal comeback in EURO 2000 Group A . 1 November 2023 . UEFA . 6 October 2003.
  45. News: Portugal back on track . 1 November 2023 . BBC Sport . 10 June 2002.
  46. News: Deco wins Rui Costa seal of approval . 1 November 2023 . Irish Examiner . 11 June 2004.
  47. News: Kelso . Paul . Scolari to put faith in Deco ahead of Costa . 1 November 2023 . The Guardian . 16 June 2004.
  48. News: Russia 0-2 Portugal . 1 November 2023 . BBC Sport . 16 June 2004.
  49. News: Portugal break England hearts . 1 November 2023 . BBC Sport . 24 June 2004.
  50. News: United want Rui Costa . 1 November 2023 . Mail & Guardian . 27 July 2004.
  51. Web site: Portugal – Record International Players. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 24 July 2015.
  52. Web site: 20 Greatest Playmakers in the History of World Football . 2023-01-29 . Bleacher Report.
  53. Web site: Bridging the generation gap. ESPN FC. Brewin. John. 16 February 2004. 25 March 2017.
  54. Web site: A.C. Milan Hall of Fame: Manuel Rui Costa. A.C. Milan. 9 December 2014.
  55. News: KEY MEN. The Daily Star. 28 May 2003. 7 November 2015. 7 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160107085134/http://archive.thedailystar.net/2003/05/28/d30528041033.htm. dead.
  56. News: Champions' League final: How the old trafford teams shape up. The Independent. 27 May 2003. 6 March 2017.
  57. Web site: Rui Costa, Portugal's prince. https://web.archive.org/web/20160923224254/http://www.fifa.com/live-scores/news/y=2008/m=6/news=rui-costa-portugal-prince-793719.html. dead. 23 September 2016. FIFA.com. 9 June 2008. 25 March 2017.
  58. News: Real challenge for Rui Costa is to beat Spanish at their own game. The Guardian. 17 November 2002. 25 March 2017.
  59. News: 'Golden Generation' Must First Beat World Champion France : Can Portugal Go the Full Distance?. The New York Times. Hughes. Rob. 28 June 2000. 25 March 2017.
  60. My Perfect 10: Rui Costa. FourFourTwo. Cox. Michael. 1 September 2010. 25 March 2017.
  61. News: A Batistuta manca una casella. Batistuta still has one box to tick off. La Gazzetta dello Sport. it. Calamai. Luca. 14 November 1998. 27 March 2017.
  62. News: Supersheva, Supercoppa Milan. Supersheva, Milan Supercup. La Gazzetta dello Sport. it. 21 August 2004. 8 November 2017.
  63. Web site: Manuel Rui Costa, 'The Maestro' who made Fiorentina, Milan & Portugal tick . Planet Football . Beresford . Jack . 21 June 2019 . 29 June 2020 .
  64. Web site: 10 of the best playmakers of the 90s: Zizou, Laudrup, Baggio, Bergkamp... . Planet Football . Storey . Daniel . 5 February 2020 . 29 June 2020 .
  65. News: Nike and Maven Networks Introduce JogaTV . https://archive.today/20130130024001/http://nikego.com/media/pr/2006/04/17_jogaTV.html . dead . 30 January 2013 . Nikego . Nike . 17 April 2006 . 21 February 2015 .
  66. Book: Jackson. Steven J.. Sport, Culture and Advertising: Identities, Commodities and the Politics of Representation. 10 November 2004. Routledge. 186.
  67. Web site: FIFA 16 Ultimate Team™ – New Legends. EA Sports. 1 September 2015. 8 September 2015.
  68. Web site: Rui Costa assume clube e SAD. O delfim que demorou 13 anos a chegar ao cargo desejado. dn.pt.
  69. Web site: Saviola : "Venho para ser campeão". Saviola : "I am here to be champion". Record. 15 December 2012. 28 June 2009. pt. https://archive.today/20130416113955/http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=401848. 16 April 2013. dead.
  70. Web site: Cruzeiro confirma venda de Ramires para o Benfica. Estadão. 22 May 2009. 21 May 2009. pt.
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