Alberto Costa (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Alberto Facundo "Tino" Costa (born 9 January 1985 in Buenos Aires
) is an Argentine
football player currently playing for La Liga
club Valencia CF
. Costa operates as a central midfielder and is known for his technical skill, penalty-taking
, his free kick
ability and his pin-point passing.
playing for local club La Terrazza. At the age of 17, he made the highly risky decision of leaving the country for the island of Guadeloupe
to play for Racing Club de Basse-Terre
in the Guadeloupe Division d’Honneur
. Costa spent two years at the island club helping the club win the league and cup double
. He played in the 2004 edition of the Coupe de Guadeloupe
final helping his club defeat AS Gosier by a score of 3–1. His great play caught the attention of Racing Club de Paris
, who offered the player a trial. Racing, who were playing in the third-tier National
, signed the player and Costa played one season for the club appearing in 28 total matches scoring 3 goals. The following season, he joined Pau FC
, another club in the National. At Pau, Costa appeared in 39 total matches scoring 4 goals with Pau barely avoiding relegation in both years he spent there.
After leaving Pau, Costa joined his third National club in FC Sète
. There, he became a household name in the league appearing in 29 total matches scoring 3 goals helping Sète come within seven points of promotion. He also assisted on several goals and collected nine yellow cards. For his efforts, he was named the league's top player, which led to interest from clubs in the higher divisions.
of Ligue 2
for the 2008–09 season, after agreeing to a three-year contract. He made his debut for the club in their opening match of the season, playing the full 90 minutes in their loss to Strasbourg
. He scored his first career goal for the club a few weeks later in their 4–0 demolition of Reims
. He was held scoreless for the majority of the fall season, before returning to form mid-season scoring a brace against Boulogne
. In a span of six weeks, during the latter part of the season, Costa scored goals against Dijon
, Châteauroux
, Brest
, and Clermont
. As a result, Montpellier were among the head of the pack for promotion to Ligue 1
. The club's future was determined on the final day of the season with a 2–1 victory over Strasbourg, who were also fighting for promotion. Costa scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 19th minute helping Montpellier return to Ligue 1 play. For the entire season, Costa scored 8 goals and assisted on 11 goals. He was nominated for the Ligue 2 Player of the Year award, but lost out to the Cameroon
ian Paul Alo'o
.
Following the season, several Ligue 1 clubs began inquiring for Costa's services, most notably RC Lens
and Toulouse
. However, Costa refuted any claims of leaving the city of Montpellier
and signed a contract extension on 1 July 2009 until the year 2013. Despite missing the club's opening 1–1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain
, Costa made his Ligue 1 debut against Lorient
scoring the club's opening goal in the 60th minute. The match ended in a 2–2 draw. The following week, he scored again, this time in a 2–0 victory over Sochaux
. Two weeks later, he converted a 39th minute penalty against Lens. The goal turned out to be the winner.
club Valencia
on a four-year contract for a transfer fee of €6.5 million. He scored his first goal for Valencia on his debut in the UEFA Champion's League. The midfielder shot accurately from 30 yards out, and Valencia went on to win 0–4 at Bursaspor
. He scored his first league goal for Valencia against Getafe on 14 November 2010. On 18 December he scored his second league goal from 35 yards out when he converted a free-kick against Real Sociedad.
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
) is an Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
football player currently playing for La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
club Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
. Costa operates as a central midfielder and is known for his technical skill, penalty-taking
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
, his free kick
Direct free kick
A direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football following a foul. Unlike an indirect free kick, a goal may be scored directly against the opposing side without the ball having first touched another player.-Award:...
ability and his pin-point passing.
Early career and National
Costa, commonly known as Tino, began his career in ArgentinaArgentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
playing for local club La Terrazza. At the age of 17, he made the highly risky decision of leaving the country for the island of Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is an archipelago located in the Leeward Islands, in the Lesser Antilles, with a land area of 1,628 square kilometres and a population of 400,000. It is the first overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. As with the other overseas departments, Guadeloupe...
to play for Racing Club de Basse-Terre
Racing Club de Basse-Terre
Racing Club de Basse-Terre is a football club in Guadeloupe, based in the country's capital city Basse-Terre.They play in Guadeloupe's second division, the Promotion d'Honneur Regionale.-Achievements:*Guadeloupe Championnat National: 3...
in the Guadeloupe Division d’Honneur
Guadeloupe Division d’Honneur
The Division d’Honneur is the top football league in Guadeloupe. It was created in 1952 and is headed by the Ligue Guadeloupéenne de Football. 14 teams participate in this league...
. Costa spent two years at the island club helping the club win the league and cup double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
. He played in the 2004 edition of the Coupe de Guadeloupe
Coupe de Guadeloupe
The Coupe de Guadeloupe is the top knockout tournament of the Guadeloupe football.-Finals:The list of cup finals:*1941/42 : Racing Club 4-2 Redoutable*1943 : not finished*1944/45 : not played*1946 : La Gauloise 1-0 CS Moulien...
final helping his club defeat AS Gosier by a score of 3–1. His great play caught the attention of Racing Club de Paris
RCF Paris
Racing Club de France – Levallois 92 is a French association football club formerly based in Colombes, a suburb of Paris. In 2009, the club moved to nearby Levallois-Perret after the club reached a financial agreement with the commune. Racing was founded in 1882 as a sports club and is one of the...
, who offered the player a trial. Racing, who were playing in the third-tier National
Championnat National
The Championnat de France National, commonly referred to as simply National or Division 3, serves as the third division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
, signed the player and Costa played one season for the club appearing in 28 total matches scoring 3 goals. The following season, he joined Pau FC
Pau FC
Pau FC is a French football club based in Pau. The team, founded in 1904 as Bleuets Notre-Dame de Pau, are currently competing in the CFA, the fourth tier of French football. They play at the Stade du Hameau. The team plays in a yellow and blue strip....
, another club in the National. At Pau, Costa appeared in 39 total matches scoring 4 goals with Pau barely avoiding relegation in both years he spent there.
After leaving Pau, Costa joined his third National club in FC Sète
FC Sète
FC Sète 34 is a French football club based in Sète and founded in 1900. The club won the French league twice and the French cup also twice . In 1934 they became the first club to win the French league and cup double....
. There, he became a household name in the league appearing in 29 total matches scoring 3 goals helping Sète come within seven points of promotion. He also assisted on several goals and collected nine yellow cards. For his efforts, he was named the league's top player, which led to interest from clubs in the higher divisions.
Montpellier
Costa signed with MontpellierMontpellier HSC
Montpellier Hérault Sport Club is a French association football club based in the city of Montpellier. The club was founded in 1919 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Montpellier plays its home matches at the Stade de la Mosson, located within the city...
of Ligue 2
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
for the 2008–09 season, after agreeing to a three-year contract. He made his debut for the club in their opening match of the season, playing the full 90 minutes in their loss to Strasbourg
RC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
. He scored his first career goal for the club a few weeks later in their 4–0 demolition of Reims
Stade Reims
Stade de Reims is a French association football club based in Reims. The club was formed in 1911 under the name Société Sportive du Parc Pommery and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football having achieved promotion to the league following the 2009–10 season...
. He was held scoreless for the majority of the fall season, before returning to form mid-season scoring a brace against Boulogne
US Boulogne
Union Sportive de Boulogne-sur-Mer Côte d'Opale is a French association football club based in the commune of Boulogne-sur-Mer. The club was founded in 1898 and currently plays in Ligue 2, the second of division of French football, having been relegated from Ligue 1 during the 2009–10 season.The...
. In a span of six weeks, during the latter part of the season, Costa scored goals against Dijon
Dijon FCO
Dijon Football Côte d'Or is a French association football club based in Dijon. The club was founded in 1998 as a result of a merger between two local clubs in the city and currently competes in Ligue 1 after gaining promotion for the first time ever in the 2010-11 season.The club president is...
, Châteauroux
LB Châteauroux
La Berrichonne de Châteauroux is a French association football club based in Châteauroux. The football team is a part of a sports club that consists of several other sports and was founded in 1883. The team currently plays in Ligue 2, the second division of French football, having finished 16th in...
, Brest
Stade Brestois 29
Stade Brestois 29 is a French football club based in Brest. The club was founded in 1903 under the name Armoricaine de Brest and adopted its current name in 1950...
, and Clermont
Clermont Foot
Clermont Foot Auvergne 63 is a French association football club based in Clermont-Ferrand. The first incarnation of the club was formed in 1911 and the current club was created in 1990 as a result of a merger...
. As a result, Montpellier were among the head of the pack for promotion to Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
. The club's future was determined on the final day of the season with a 2–1 victory over Strasbourg, who were also fighting for promotion. Costa scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 19th minute helping Montpellier return to Ligue 1 play. For the entire season, Costa scored 8 goals and assisted on 11 goals. He was nominated for the Ligue 2 Player of the Year award, but lost out to the Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
ian Paul Alo'o
Paul Alo'o
Paul Alo'o Efoulou is a professional footballer currently playing for Ligue 1 side Nancy. He plays as a striker.- International career :...
.
Following the season, several Ligue 1 clubs began inquiring for Costa's services, most notably RC Lens
RC Lens
Racing Club de Lens is a French association football club based in the northern city of Lens in the Pas-de-Calais department. Its nickname, sang et or , comes from its traditional colours of red and gold. Their primary rivals are their northern neighbors Lille OSC, whom they contest the Derby du...
and Toulouse
Toulouse FC
Toulouse Football Club is a French association football club based in the city of Toulouse. The club was founded in 1970 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Toulouse plays its home matches at the Stadium Municipal located within the city. The first team is managed by...
. However, Costa refuted any claims of leaving the city of Montpellier
Montpellier
-Neighbourhoods:Since 2001, Montpellier has been divided into seven official neighbourhoods, themselves divided into sub-neighbourhoods. Each of them possesses a neighbourhood council....
and signed a contract extension on 1 July 2009 until the year 2013. Despite missing the club's opening 1–1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain FC
Paris Saint-Germain Football Club , also known simply as Paris Saint-Germain and familiarly as Paris SG or PSG , is a professional association football club based in Paris, France. The club was founded on 12 August 1970, thanks to the merger of Paris FC and Stade Saint-Germain...
, Costa made his Ligue 1 debut against Lorient
FC Lorient
Football Club Lorient-Bretagne Sud is a French association football club based in Lorient. The club was founded in 1926 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Lorient plays its home matches at the Stade du Moustoir located within the city. The team is managed by Christian...
scoring the club's opening goal in the 60th minute. The match ended in a 2–2 draw. The following week, he scored again, this time in a 2–0 victory over Sochaux
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
Football Club Sochaux-Montbéliard is a French association football club based in the city of Montbéliard. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal located within the city...
. Two weeks later, he converted a 39th minute penalty against Lens. The goal turned out to be the winner.
Valencia
On 1 July 2010, Costa joined La LigaLa Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
club Valencia
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
on a four-year contract for a transfer fee of €6.5 million. He scored his first goal for Valencia on his debut in the UEFA Champion's League. The midfielder shot accurately from 30 yards out, and Valencia went on to win 0–4 at Bursaspor
Bursaspor
Bursaspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Bursa. Formed in 1963, Bursaspor are nicknamed the Yeşil Timsahlar...
. He scored his first league goal for Valencia against Getafe on 14 November 2010. On 18 December he scored his second league goal from 35 yards out when he converted a free-kick against Real Sociedad.
Career statistics
(Correct as of 29 May 2011)| Club | Season | League | CupIncludes Copa del Rey Copa del Rey The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol .... , Supercopa de España Supercopa de España The Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey... , Coupe de France Coupe de France The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation... , Coupe de la Ligue Coupe de la Ligue The Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel... , Coupe de Guadeloupe Coupe de Guadeloupe The Coupe de Guadeloupe is the top knockout tournament of the Guadeloupe football.-Finals:The list of cup finals:*1941/42 : Racing Club 4-2 Redoutable*1943 : not finished*1944/45 : not played*1946 : La Gauloise 1-0 CS Moulien... , Trophée des Champions Trophée des champions The Trophée des champions , is a French association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of Ligue 1 and the winners of the Coupe de France. It is equivalent to the Super Cups found in many countries... |
Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... Includes UEFA Supercup |
Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | ||
| RC Basse-Terre Racing Club de Basse-Terre Racing Club de Basse-Terre is a football club in Guadeloupe, based in the country's capital city Basse-Terre.They play in Guadeloupe's second division, the Promotion d'Honneur Regionale.-Achievements:*Guadeloupe Championnat National: 3... |
2003–04 Guadeloupe Division d’Honneur The Division d’Honneur is the top football league in Guadeloupe. It was created in 1952 and is headed by the Ligue Guadeloupéenne de Football. 14 teams participate in this league... |
– | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Total | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| Racing Paris RCF Paris Racing Club de France – Levallois 92 is a French association football club formerly based in Colombes, a suburb of Paris. In 2009, the club moved to nearby Levallois-Perret after the club reached a financial agreement with the commune. Racing was founded in 1882 as a sports club and is one of the... |
2004–05 Championnat National The Championnat de France National, commonly referred to as simply National or Division 3, serves as the third division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2... |
28 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 28 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 3 | 3 | |
| Pau Pau FC Pau FC is a French football club based in Pau. The team, founded in 1904 as Bleuets Notre-Dame de Pau, are currently competing in the CFA, the fourth tier of French football. They play at the Stade du Hameau. The team plays in a yellow and blue strip.... |
2005–06 Championnat National The Championnat de France National, commonly referred to as simply National or Division 3, serves as the third division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2... |
31 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 2 | 4 |
| 2006–07 Championnat National The Championnat de France National, commonly referred to as simply National or Division 3, serves as the third division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2... |
31 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 2 | 5 | |
| Total | 62 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 4 | 9 | |
| Sète FC Sète FC Sète 34 is a French football club based in Sète and founded in 1900. The club won the French league twice and the French cup also twice . In 1934 they became the first club to win the French league and cup double.... |
2007–08 | 29 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 3 | 7 |
| Total | 29 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 3 | 7 | |
| Montpellier Montpellier HSC Montpellier Hérault Sport Club is a French association football club based in the city of Montpellier. The club was founded in 1919 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Montpellier plays its home matches at the Stade de la Mosson, located within the city... |
2008–09 | 35 | 8 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 8 | 11 |
| 2009–10 | 31 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 7 | 6 | |
| Total | 66 | 15 | 17 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 70 | 15 | 17 | |
| Valencia Valencia CF Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the... |
2010–11 2010–11 La Liga The 2010–11 La Liga season was the 80th since its establishment. The campaign began on 28 August 2010 and ended on 21 May 2011. A total of 20 teams contested the league, 17 of which already contested in the 2009–10 season and three of which were promoted from the Segunda División... |
24 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 6 | 1 |
| 2011–12 2011–12 La Liga The 2011–12 La Liga season is the 81st since its establishment. Barcelona are the defending champions, having won their 21st La Liga title in the previous season for the third time in a row. The campaign began on 27 August 2011, and will end on 13 May 2012... |
7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 2 | |
| Total | 31 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 42 | 8 | 3 | |
| Career total | 216 | 30 | 39 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 232 | 32 | 37 | |