Miracle of Istanbul 2005

Lore & Background

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. He usually played as an attacking midfielder and was particularly known for his excellent technique, playmaking ability, and eye for goal from midfield. In 2004, he was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100 as one of the 125 greatest living football players.

In Their Own Story

The lights of Istanbul shine bright, but not for the Red and White. In the stands, where thousands of Benfica fans might have hoped to see their team, there is only silence regarding the Eagles' presence. The roar of the crowd belongs to another story, one that unfolds without a single player wearing the iconic crest of Lisbon's greatest club.

Reader's Guide

Costa began his youth career at Damaia Ginásio Clube at age five, then joined Benfica's youth squads. He was loaned to Fafe for his first full season. After the 1991 Under-21 World Cup, he returned to Benfica and became a regular, forming a midfield partnership with João Vieira Pinto. He won the Taça de Portugal in 1993 and the Portuguese First Division title in 1993–94. He then moved to Fiorentina, winning the Coppa Italia twice and a Supercoppa Italiana. In 2001, he joined AC Milan for a club-record fee, winning the UEFA Champions League in 2003 and the UEFA Super Cup. He returned to Benfica in 2006, playing two seasons before retiring in 2008. He was sent off for the only time in his career on 6 September 1997, 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.

Did You Know?

• Costa scored the winning penalty in the 1991 FIFA World Youth Championship final against Brazil.
• He assisted three goals in a 4–0 Champions League win at Deportivo de La Coruña in 2002.
• Costa was named Benfica's Player of the Year for 2007.
• He scored a long-range goal in extra time of the Euro 2004 quarter-final against England.