Da Costa, central defender, there was some competition. Da Costa hasn't played much with Fiorentina. I would check if he was among the substitutes and many times his name wasn't even on the list. I saw him at the Euro Sub-21 in Holland last summer on TV. He'd wear yellow boots and he was one of the important defenders in the team. But the current physical shape is a factor that Scolari looks at. It's not surprising he didn't make the cut.
He played for Portugal in the international friendly (Sub-21), France 1-1 Portugal, at Stade de Malmö in Sweden, on May 28, 2008. He, a defender, scored the goal in the 65th minute to bring it to a draw. However he didn't celebrate it on the field. He was asked about that and here's what he said:
"It's not because of playing against France. It was a way to show that I'm disappointed, for not being called up for the EURO 2008. I hoped I would go and I thought I had possibilities to do so. I thought that the Portuguese knew of my qualities, that's why I was a little disappointed for not being called up.
About not playing 
often in the Italian Serie A:
"In Italy we have to know how to speak Italian to be able to play. In the beginning caused me to not be fully adapted, now I'm more adapted and I already speak a little Italian."
About his goal in the international friendly (Sub-21), France 1-1 Portugal:
"I'm a defender but I like to go forward and attack, because I don't like to lose. I know that sometimes I put my team in danger. Against Sweden it didn't happen, but today ... voila."
Source: www.record.pt/noticia.asp?id=788526&idCanal=1252
What do you think?
Here are some reader comments that appeared at the bottom of the original article on Record:
- Meira, even now is a bit better than you and that arrogance surprises me, besides liking your game.
- For me, he's an excellent central defender, à la bechenbaeur, in some aspects even better than him. He's the future boss of the Portugal defense when Ricardo Carvalho hangs his boots [retires]. I like a lot to see him play. As for having a place in the group going to EURO 2008... it's difficult... the 4 there now have shown their work and he didn't play much at Fiorentina this year. I think that in this case Scolari was right. I also understand that Manuel da Costa was affected by it.
- You commented on why Maniche wasn't called up. And Tiago now at Juventus? He wasn't called up and nobody talked about him.
- This little kid forgot that the central defenders called up- called ricardo carvalho, pepe, fernando meira, bruno alves... Is he capable of taking the place, of which one? None of them.. It's still too son for you kid.
- Of friend, with that "humility" you are capable of going to the end of the list!!! You can be a good player but still need "it" to be an option in the national team.
At this point, he didn't need to elaborate on why he wanted to go to the EURO 2008. He didn't play often at Fiorentina- there's no way around it.
What do you think?
Some little known facts on Manuel Da Costa:
- Full name: Manuel Marouan da Costa Trindade. More commonly known as Manuel da Costa
- Born May 6, 1986 in Saint-Max, France
- Born in France but qualifies to play for Portugal through his parents (born from a Portuguese father and a Moroccan mother).