Portuguese · Fafe, Portugal · Born 29 March 1972Fiorentina and AC Milan's visionary Portuguese playmaker — one of the most technically gifted attacking midfielders of the 1990s.
Fiorentina and AC Milan's visionary Portuguese playmaker — one of the most technically gifted attacking midfielders of the 1990s. Football at the highest level rewards technical mastery, physical conditioning and the mental fortitude to perform consistently across a long and unrelenting career. Career highlights included Champions League 2003 (Milan), Serie A 2x, 94 Portugal caps. The true measure of a great football athlete is the ability to perform consistently over an extended period, and Rui's career record demonstrates precisely that quality of sustained excellence. Across a career marked by sustained excellence, Rui established a legacy that endures in the record books and in the lasting memory of football fans worldwide. Rui Costa's achievements in football were built on technical discipline, physical preparation and competitive commitment that allowed performance to be maintained at the very top across multiple seasons. The dedication required to perform consistently in football at international level defined every aspect of Rui Costa's approach to the sport.
Exceptional playmaking ability and vision at Fiorentina and AC Milan
He is now President of Benfica — the club where he began his career.
Did You Know?How They Played
Creative attacking midfielder with exceptional passing range, vision and technical ability
Lasting Impact
One of Portugal's greatest ever players and finest playmakers of his generation
Career Honours
- Champions League 2003 (Milan)
- Serie A 2x
- 94 Portugal caps
- Champions League 2007
- Serie A 2004
- Coppa Italia 2003
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benfica | 1993–1994 | 13 | 37 | #10 |
| Fiorentina | 1994–2001 | 230 | 37 | — |
| AC Milan | 2001–2006 | 117 | 10 | — |
 Portugal | — | 94 | 26 | — |
Portuguese Athletes