Costinha

The tenacious defensive anchor who helped Porto conquer Europe in 2004.

Francisco José Rodrigues da Costa, known universally as Costinha (pronounced [kɔʃˈtiɲɐ]), is a Portuguese former professional footballer born on 1 December 1974. Renowned for his tackling, positioning, and relentless workrate, he served as a defensive midfielder across clubs in Portugal, France, Russia, Spain, and Italy. His career peaked at FC Porto, where he won eight trophies, including the historic 2003–04 UEFA Champions League title. Costinha was also an integral part of the Portuguese national team that reached the Euro 2004 final.

Quick Facts

Full name: Francisco José Rodrigues da Costa
Born: 1 December 1974
Birthplace: Lisbon, Portugal
Height: 1.81 m / 5 ft 11 in
Position: Defensive midfielder
Totalcaps: 320
Totalgoals: 28

Lore & Background

Costinha's journey to football stardom began far from the limelight. Born in Lisbon to an Angolan father who immigrated in the 1960s, he started his career in the third division with clubs like Clube Oriental de Lisboa and C.D. Nacional before catching the eye of AS Monaco in 1997. His time at Porto began on 12 August 2001, where he made his Primeira Liga debut in a 1–0 loss to Sporting and was immediately sent off. Despite this rocky start, he became an instrumental figure in the team's back-to-back national titles. The defining moment of his club career arrived on 9 March 2004, when he scored against Manchester United in the Champions League round of 16, effectively knocking them out with a crucial goal. Porto went on to defeat his former club Monaco 3–0 in the final, cementing Costinha's legacy as a key architect of that triumph.

Reader's Guide

Costinha is best understood through his specific contributions to Porto's midfield: aggressive tackling, precise positioning, and exceptional stamina. He was not a flashy playmaker but the engine that allowed others to thrive. His career statistics reflect this utility; he earned over 50 caps for Portugal, appearing in one World Cup and two European Championships. Post-retirement, his managerial path saw him lead Beira-Mar, Paços de Ferreira, Académica, and Nacional. At Nacional, he secured promotion as champions in the 2017–18 LigaPro season before a turbulent return to the club in 2021 that lasted only five games. His legacy is one of unwavering commitment, from his early days in the third division to lifting the Champions League trophy.

Did You Know?

During the 2006 World Cup 'Battle of Nuremberg,' he was one of four players sent off in a single match after two bookable offenses.
He played only one match for Atalanta BC due to serious injuries and fitness concerns, despite having the highest salary on the team.
As a manager, he led Nacional to win the 2017–18 LigaPro championship.