17 Facts About Rui Costa

1.

Rui Costa succeeded Luis Filipe Vieira as president of the club's SAD board of directors.

2.

Rui Costa is regarded as one of the best midfielders in world football and one of Portugal's best players of all time.

3.

At age five, Rui Costa joined the infant indoor football team of Damaia Ginasio Clube.

4.

In 1991, after the Under-21 World Cup, which Portugal won after a penalty kick scored by Rui Costa, he returned to Benfica.

5.

Rui Costa formed a formidable midfield partnership with Joao Vieira Pinto.

6.

Since Benfica were struggling with financial problems, Rui Costa had to leave.

7.

In so doing, Rui Costa became Milan's most expensive transfer of all time.

8.

Rui Costa added further goals in wins over CSKA Sofia and Hapoel Tel Aviv in a run to the last four.

9.

Rui Costa remained a first team choice under Jose 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.

10.

Rui Costa played his final match on 11 May 2008 at the Estadio da Luz against Vitoria de Setubal.

11.

Rui Costa was substituted in the 86th minute to a standing ovation from the spectators.

12.

Rui Costa was a member of Portugal's most consistent years at senior level as the team reached the quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 1996, the semi-finals of Euro 2000 and the final of UEFA Euro 2004.

13.

The only time in his career that Rui Costa was sent off was in an international game against Germany.

14.

Rui Costa was sponsored by American sportswear company Nike and appeared in Nike commercials.

15.

The day after his last professional match, Rui Costa was presented as director of football at Benfica.

16.

On 14 May 2008, Rui Costa was appointed an administrator of Benfica SAD.

17.

Rui Costa was married to Rute from 1994 to 2013, and fathered two sons.