Costinha
Encyclopedia
Francisco José Rodrigues da Costa, OIH (born 1 December 1974), aka Costinha (kɔʃˈtiɲɐ), is a retired Portuguese
footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.
Best known for his tackling and positioning, he played professionally in five different countries - having arrived in the first division of his own
at nearly 27 - and was also a Portuguese international
. In 2004
, he helped F.C. Porto win the UEFA Champions League
, winning a total of eight trophies with that club.
Costinha gained more than 50 caps with Portugal
, appearing with the national team in one World Cup
and two European Championships
, being part of the squad that reached the final in Euro 2004.
. After years of playing in the lower leagues, he caught the interest of French
side AS Monaco FC
while playing with C.D. Nacional, then in the Portuguese second division
. After a tentative first season, he became an important first team member, helping with 28 matches and one goal to the club's 1999–2000 Ligue 1
conquest.
Aged almost 27, Costinha made his Portuguese top flight debut when he signed with F.C. Porto, going on to be an instrumental midfield element in the northerners' two consecutive national championships. Arguably, his finest club moment came on 9 March 2004 when he scored against and effectively knocked out Manchester United
in 2003–04's UEFA Champions League
first knockout round; Porto went on to win the title, beating former side Monaco 3–0 in the final
.
An undisputed starter again in 2004–05, Costinha was sold to FC Dynamo Moscow
in May 2005 for €4 million, alongside teammates Maniche and Giourkas Seitaridis, following Derlei
(left in January). Unsettled, he left for Atlético Madrid, where he would play in the 2006–07 season.
Costinha would be released by the Colchoneros in August 2007, joining Serie A
outfit Atalanta BC
, where he would appear very rarely throughout his spell (only one match, in his first season) due to serious injuries and, later, technical choices from his club, who considered the player unfit to play competitively, despite him having the highest salary in the first team (€
700,000 per year, in a contract due to expire in June 2010). The club tried to agree a mutual termination of the contract with the player, and also attempted unsuccessfully to obtain rescision of his contract through the Italian Football League.
On 23 February 2010, 35-year old Costinha finally rescinded his link to Atalanta. He immediately retired, being named shortly afterwards Sporting Clube de Portugal's director of football
, succeeding sacked Ricardo Sá Pinto
, his former international teammate. On 9 February 2011, the day after conceding an interview to Sport TV
in which in criticized the club's board of directors, he was relieved of his duties.
In June 2011, in the same capacity, Costinha joined Servette FC
, with the Swiss
team being managed by countryman João Alves
.
on 14 October 1998, during a UEFA Euro 2000 qualifier 1–0 home win against Slovakia
, going on to appear in the tournament's final stage, where he scored an injury time
header against Romania
(1–0).
He also played at Euro 2004 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup
. During the latter, on 25 June, he took part in the Battle of Nuremberg
, being one of four players sent off
in the round of 16 success against the Netherlands
(1–0), after two bookable offenses, the second being a handball.
Costinha finished his international career with 53 caps and two goals, having been rarely called during the Euro 2008 qualifying stage.
|1997–98||rowspan="4"|Monaco
||rowspan="4"|French League
||11||0||||||||||||||||
|-
|1998–99||21||2||||||||||||||||
|-
|1999–00||28||1||||||||||||||||
|-
|2000–01||24||0||||||||||||||||
|-
|2001–02||rowspan="4"|Porto||rowspan="4"|Portuguese League||28||3||||||||||||||||
|-
|2002–03||23||5||||||||||||||||
|-
|2003–04||27||2||||||||||||||||
|-
|2004–05||30||3||||||||||||||||
|-
|2005||Dynamo Moscow
||Russian League
||10||0||||||||||||||||
|-
|2006–07||Atlético Madrid||Spanish League
||24||0||||||||||||||||
|-
|2007–08||rowspan="3"|Atalanta
||rowspan="3"|Italian League
||1||0||||||||||||||||
|-
|2008–09||||||||||||||||||||
|-
|2009–10
||||||||||||||||||||
94||3||||||||||||||||
108||13||||||||||||||||
10||0||||||||||||||||
24||0||||||||||||||||
1||0||||||||||||||||
237||16||||||||||||||||
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.
Best known for his tackling and positioning, he played professionally in five different countries - having arrived in the first division of his own
Portuguese Liga
The Primeira Liga , formerly called Primeira Divisão, currently named Liga ZON Sagres after their main sponsors, is the top professional association football division of the Portuguese football league system...
at nearly 27 - and was also a Portuguese international
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
. In 2004
2004 UEFA Champions League Final
The 2004 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match played at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, on 26 May 2004, to decide the winner of the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League...
, he helped F.C. Porto win the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
, winning a total of eight trophies with that club.
Costinha gained more than 50 caps with Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
, appearing with the national team in one World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
and two European Championships
UEFA European Football Championship
The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
, being part of the squad that reached the final in Euro 2004.
Club career
Costinha was born in LisbonLisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
. After years of playing in the lower leagues, he caught the interest of French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
side AS Monaco FC
AS Monaco FC
Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille...
while playing with C.D. Nacional, then in the Portuguese second division
Liga de Honra
The Liga de Honra , known for sponsorship reasons as the Liga Orangina, is the Portuguese second level football league. It was formerly called Segunda Divisão and Segunda Divisão de Honra . When the LPFP took control of the two nationwide levels, it was renamed Segunda Liga, before renaming it...
. After a tentative first season, he became an important first team member, helping with 28 matches and one goal to the club's 1999–2000 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....
conquest.
Aged almost 27, Costinha made his Portuguese top flight debut when he signed with F.C. Porto, going on to be an instrumental midfield element in the northerners' two consecutive national championships. Arguably, his finest club moment came on 9 March 2004 when he scored against and effectively knocked out Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
in 2003–04's UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
first knockout round; Porto went on to win the title, beating former side Monaco 3–0 in the final
2004 UEFA Champions League Final
The 2004 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match played at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, on 26 May 2004, to decide the winner of the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League...
.
An undisputed starter again in 2004–05, Costinha was sold to FC Dynamo Moscow
FC Dynamo Moscow
Dynamo Moscow is a Russian football club based in Moscow, currently playing in the Russian Premier League. Dynamo's traditional kit colours are blue and white...
in May 2005 for €4 million, alongside teammates Maniche and Giourkas Seitaridis, following Derlei
Derlei
Vanderlei Fernandes Silva , aka Derlei, is a retired Brazilian-Portuguese footballer who played as a striker.He spent most of his 16-year professional career in Portugal , having represented all three most important clubs in the country, and amassing top division totals of 187 games and 70...
(left in January). Unsettled, he left for Atlético Madrid, where he would play in the 2006–07 season.
Costinha would be released by the Colchoneros in August 2007, joining Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
outfit Atalanta BC
Atalanta B.C.
Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio, commonly known as just Atalanta, Atalanta Bergamo or the abbreviation Atalanta BC, is an Italian football club based in Bergamo, Lombardy.They are nicknamed the Nerazzurri and the orobici...
, where he would appear very rarely throughout his spell (only one match, in his first season) due to serious injuries and, later, technical choices from his club, who considered the player unfit to play competitively, despite him having the highest salary in the first team (€
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
700,000 per year, in a contract due to expire in June 2010). The club tried to agree a mutual termination of the contract with the player, and also attempted unsuccessfully to obtain rescision of his contract through the Italian Football League.
On 23 February 2010, 35-year old Costinha finally rescinded his link to Atalanta. He immediately retired, being named shortly afterwards Sporting Clube de Portugal's director of football
Director of football
"Director of football" is a term describing a senior management figure at a football club, most commonly used in Europe. The exact nature of the role is often unclear and extremely variable and causes much debate in the sports media...
, succeeding sacked Ricardo Sá Pinto
Ricardo Sá Pinto
Ricardo Manuel Andrade e Silva Sá Pinto is a retired Portuguese footballer who played as a forward.He was known for his fighting spirit, best displayed in his Sporting stints - he was dubbed by the club's fans "Ricardo Lion Heart"...
, his former international teammate. On 9 February 2011, the day after conceding an interview to Sport TV
Sport TV
SportTV is the brand name for a group of seven Portuguese sports-oriented television channels. SportTV is the dominant subscription television sports brand in Portugal. The first channel, then known as only SportTV, was launched on 16 September 1998 and is produced by ZON Multimédia and...
in which in criticized the club's board of directors, he was relieved of his duties.
In June 2011, in the same capacity, Costinha joined Servette FC
Servette FC
Servette FC is a Swiss football club, based in Geneva currently playing in the Swiss Super League. They were playing in the Swiss Challenge League, the second highest tier of Swiss football having been relegated from the Swiss Super League at the end of 2004/05 season...
, with the Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
team being managed by countryman João Alves
João Resende Alves
João António Ferreira Resende Alves , is a retired Portuguese footballer and a current coach.A skilled attacking midfielder, he was considered one of the best Portuguese players from his generation, and earned the nickname "Luvas Pretas", from the black gloves he used to wear while playing.During...
.
International career
Costinha made his debut for PortugalPortugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
on 14 October 1998, during a UEFA Euro 2000 qualifier 1–0 home win against Slovakia
Slovakia national football team
The Slovakia national football team represents Slovakia in association football and is controlled by the Slovak Football Association , the governing body for football in Slovakia. Slovakia's home stadium is Štadión Pasienky and their head coach is Vladimír Weiss...
, going on to appear in the tournament's final stage, where he scored an injury time
Last-minute goal
The term "last-minute goal" is used in sport, primarily association football, to describe a goal scored very late in a game. It may not necessarily refer to a goal scored in the actual final minute...
header against Romania
Romania national football team
The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
(1–0).
He also played at Euro 2004 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
. During the latter, on 25 June, he took part in the Battle of Nuremberg
Battle of Nuremberg
The Battle of Nuremberg is the nickname of a football match played in Round 2 of the 2006 FIFA World Cup between Portugal and the Netherlands at the Frankenstadion in Nuremberg on 25 June 2006...
, being one of four players sent off
Ejection (sports)
In sports, an ejection is one of several disqualifying actions assessed to a player or coach by a game official , usually for unsportsmanlike conduct....
in the round of 16 success against the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
(1–0), after two bookable offenses, the second being a handball.
Costinha finished his international career with 53 caps and two goals, having been rarely called during the Euro 2008 qualifying stage.
Club statistics
|-|1997–98||rowspan="4"|Monaco
AS Monaco FC
Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille...
||rowspan="4"|French League
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....
||11||0||||||||||||||||
|-
|1998–99||21||2||||||||||||||||
|-
|1999–00||28||1||||||||||||||||
|-
|2000–01||24||0||||||||||||||||
|-
|2001–02||rowspan="4"|Porto||rowspan="4"|Portuguese League||28||3||||||||||||||||
|-
|2002–03||23||5||||||||||||||||
|-
|2003–04||27||2||||||||||||||||
|-
|2004–05||30||3||||||||||||||||
|-
|2005||Dynamo Moscow
FC Dynamo Moscow
Dynamo Moscow is a Russian football club based in Moscow, currently playing in the Russian Premier League. Dynamo's traditional kit colours are blue and white...
||Russian League
Russian Premier League
The Russian Premier League , currently called SOGAZ Russian Football Championship due to sponsorship reasons, is the top division of Russian football. There are 16 teams in the competition...
||10||0||||||||||||||||
|-
|2006–07||Atlético Madrid||Spanish League
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...
||24||0||||||||||||||||
|-
|2007–08||rowspan="3"|Atalanta
Atalanta B.C.
Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio, commonly known as just Atalanta, Atalanta Bergamo or the abbreviation Atalanta BC, is an Italian football club based in Bergamo, Lombardy.They are nicknamed the Nerazzurri and the orobici...
||rowspan="3"|Italian League
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
||1||0||||||||||||||||
|-
|2008–09||||||||||||||||||||
|-
|2009–10
2009–10 Serie A
The 2009–10 Serie A was the seventy-eighth season since its establishment. There were three promoted teams from the Serie B, replacing the three teams that were relegated following the 2008–09 season. Nike provided a new match ball - the T90 Ascente - for this season...
||||||||||||||||||||
94||3||||||||||||||||
108||13||||||||||||||||
10||0||||||||||||||||
24||0||||||||||||||||
1||0||||||||||||||||
237||16||||||||||||||||
Club
- Porto:
- UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
: 2003–04 - Intercontinental CupIntercontinental Cup (football)The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
: 20042004 Intercontinental CupThe 2004 Intercontinental Cup was a football match played on 12 December 2004 between FC Porto, winners of 2003–04 UEFA Champions League, and Once Caldas, winners of the 2004 Copa Libertadores. The match was played at the neutral venue of the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan, in... - UEFA Cup: 2002–03
- Portuguese League: 2002–03, 2003–04
- Portuguese CupTaça de PortugalThe Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is...
: 2002-03 - Portuguese Supercup: 2003, 2004
- UEFA Champions League
- MonacoAS Monaco FCAssociation Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille...
:- French LeagueLigue 1Ligue 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....
: 1999–2000
- French League
Orders
- Medal of Merit, Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila ViçosaOrder of the Immaculate Conception of Vila ViçosaThe Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa is an dynastic order of knighthood of the House of Braganza, the former Portuguese Royal Family...
(House of BraganzaDuke of BraganzaThe title Duke of Braganza in the House of Braganza is one of the most important titles in the peerage of Portugal. Since the House of Braganza acceded to the throne of Portugal in 1640, the male heir of the Portuguese Crown was known as the Duke of Braganza and Prince of Brazil until 1822, or...
)