Alessandro Costacurta

AC Milan legend who never played for Inter Milan.

Alessandro 'Billy' Costacurta (born 24 April 1966) is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a defender. Widely regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, he spent his entire career at AC Milan and Monza, never playing for Inter Milan.

Quick Facts

Born: 24 April 1966
Birthplace: Jerago con Orago, Italy
Height: 1.83 m / 6 ft
Position: Defender
Total caps: 488

Lore & Background

Costacurta spent over twenty years with AC Milan between 1986 and 2007, with a brief loan at Monza. He formed part of one of the greatest defences in Serie A and European football alongside Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, and Mauro Tassotti under managers Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello. He won 7 Serie A titles and 5 Champions League/European Cup trophies. He retired on 19 May 2007, scoring a penalty in his final match against Udinese, becoming the oldest goalscorer in Serie A at the time. He made 59 appearances for Italy, scoring 2 goals, and reached the 1994 World Cup Final.

Reader's Guide

Costacurta mainly operated as a central defender. He missed the 1994 Champions League final due to a suspension from a red card in the semi-final against Monaco, not a yellow card against Barcelona. He was vice-captain of Milan after Baresi and Tassotti retired. He scored his first Serie A goal in a 3–1 away defeat to Inter Milan in the Derby della Madonnina.

Did You Know?

Costacurta was nicknamed 'Billy' due to his thin physique and skill at basketball, referencing Olimpia Milano's sponsor 'Billy'.
He made his Serie A debut on 25 October 1987 against Hellas Verona.
He won four Champions League titles with Milan, starting the 2003 final at right back.
He scored a penalty in his final match, becoming the oldest Serie A goalscorer until Zlatan Ibrahimović broke the record in 2023.