Rui Costa says he misses getting into the soccer pitch and help the team

Post about a former Portugal national team player- Manuel Rui Costa. He's still so influential that before the Euro 2008 he was repeatedly asked by fans and media if he could join the team with Figo ;-)

For my AC Milan fan readers: Anna Italia, Milan99 Azzurri Girl, and Nina

We know Rui Costa, former AC Milan player and from the Portugal national team, retired from football. Last season 2007-2008 was his last as a footballer / player. Some would say he could have continued playing. Here are some photos when he retired:

Lisbon, Portugal, May 11, 2008- Rui Costa received a standing ovation before the start of the game against Vitoria Setubal. Photo: www.record.pt

Lisbon, Portugal, May 11, 2008- When Rui Costa was replaced, he offered his jersey of his last game to his father, Vítor Costa, that came from the stands and went to the sidelines. Photo: www.record.pt

Always well-respected by fans especially by AC Milan fans.

July 17, 2008- Rui Costa presenting Aimar with the #10 jersey, was Rui Costa's. Photo: www.slbenfica.pt

This season 2008-2009 he's the Sporting Director of Benfica. The man in charge of negotiating transfers for Benfica. He was crucial in personally convincing Pablo Aimar to join this season. He even went to Spain 3 times in less than 2 weeks to personally persuade Aimar to join Benfica. Aimar in the press conference as new Benfica player last week said in Spanish that it was Rui Costa who convinced him to join Benfica and thet Benfica is a competitive club in Europe.

At the time when Rui Costa retired, his mom Manuela Costa, had said that she preferred seeing him [Rui Costa] in jersey and shorts than in suit and tie.

Not surprisingly today Rui Costa was asked if he missed the soccer pitch and answered in Portuguese:

Rui Costa: "I miss it. It makes me want to go in there [soccer pitch]"
("Dá mesmo saudade. Dá vontade de ir lá para dentro")

Rui Costa: "Now I'm so busy doing what I have to do that I even forget or get distracted from the [Benfica] games. We're seeing what's good and what's bad, the way the team is playing, but yes, I miss it."

("Agora estou tão empenhado no que estou a fazer que até me esqueço e até me distraio dos jogos. Estamos a ver o que está bem e mal, a forma como joga a equipa, mas sim, dá saudade.")

Source: www.record.pt/noticia.asp?id=796089&idCanal=11

Rui Costa is Manuel Rui Costa is also admired because he chose to go back to Benfica in the end of his career instead of -for the money- going to another club in Saudi Arabia. (Like Figo was about to do a few seasons ago).


- What do you think of Rui Costa retiring? Job as Benfica Sporting Director?