Rui Costa

 

Rui Costa

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

Nicknamed "The Maestro", 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.

Considered one of the best playmakers of all time, 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. In 2004, he was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100 as one of the 125 greatest living football players.

                           

 

Rui Costa
Costa in 2019
34th President of Benfica
Incumbent
Assumed office 10 October 2021
Preceded by	Luís Filipe Vieira
Personal details
Born	Rui Manuel César Costa 29 March 1972 (age 51) Amadora, Portugal
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Occupation	Footballer
Association football career Position(s) Attacking midfielder Youth career 1977–1990 Benfica Senior career* Years Team Apps (Gls) 1990–1994 Benfica 78 (13) 1990–1991 → Fafe (loan) 38 (6) 1994–2001 Fiorentina 215 (38) 2001–2006 AC Milan 124 (4) 2006–2008 Benfica 43 (5) Total 498 (66) International career 1990 Portugal U18 4 (1) 1991 Portugal U20 11 (1) 1992–1994 Portugal U21 19 (7) 1993–2004 Portugal 94 (26)