The Benfica and Milan great was an attacking midfielder who had a glittering career. Rui Costa was always a true Benfiquista as he chose to end his career at SLB.
Costa rose through the ranks at Benfica’s academy although he was recognised because of his loan spell at Fafe where he scored six goals in 38 apps. He came back to Benfica the following season and there was no looking back since then. He won two league titles with The Eagles and Benfica struggled to win a title for 11 years since he left. This shows the influence he had on Benfica.
He moved to Fiorentina in 1994 where he spent six seasons. He was the best number 10 in Serie A during his days for the Viola. But finally he left the Viola’s for greener pastures of Milan as the Florence club filed for bankruptcy in 2001.
At Milan, he had the best spell of his career. He had a telepathic understanding with Andrey Shevchenko which led to Milan’s spell of dominance in Italy.
He was an invincible in the Milan of the 2000’s, yes the one that Europe feared. Such was his creative influence that he was nicknamed ‘The Maestro’.
Along with a glittering club career he had a fruitful career with the Portuguese national team. He was part of that infamous team of Euro 2004, where they suffered a shock defeat to Greece in the finals in Lisbon.
The rise of Kaka led to his ouster from Milan. This prompted his return to Benfica where he had great end to his career. We pay our respect to the Maestro.
Honours
Club
Benfica
Taça de Portugal (1): 1992–93
Primeira Liga (1): 1993–94
Fiorentina
Coppa Italia (2): 1995–96, 2000–01
Supercoppa Italiana (1): 1996
Milan
Serie A (1): 2003–04
Coppa Italia (1): 2002–03
Supercoppa Italiana (1): 2004
UEFA Champions League (1): 2002–03
UEFA Super Cup (1): 2003
Portugal
UEFA Under-18 Championship: Runner up: 1990
FIFA U-20 World Cup (1): 1991
Toulon Tournament (1): 1992
European Under-21 Football Championship: Runner-up: 1994
UEFA European Football Championship: Runner-up: 2004, 3rd Place: 2000
Individual
Toulon Tournament Best Player (1): 1992
Toulon Tournament Top Scorer (1): 1992
UEFA European Championship Teams of the Tournament (2): 1996, 2000
FIFA 100
SJPF Player of the Month (1): September 2007
Benfica Player of the Year (1): 2007
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