The Forgotten Legend Who Sacrificed His Legacy To Save His Childhood Club 

I think the reason Rui Costa isn't remembered that much, is that he always put the glory of his clubs above his own glory. Working hard and becoming the best he could to serve his clubs, rather than doing it for his own fame and fortune. I love players who show this much dedication to their clubs. Rui Costa isn't just a legendary player, but a legend of a human as well.

Shame how players like him often get forgotten over time

An additional piece of trivia about his return as a player to Benfica: Knowing the club lacked the financial strength to pay for his wages, he agreed to sign the contract without negotiating his wage at all, leaving total freedom for the club to decide how much he would earn. All he wanted was to play for his club one last time, and he wouldn't put a price on it.

in Italy we loved him independently on which team He played. A phenomenal person and player in the golden age of Italian Clubs!

I'm from the UK. Rui is not forgotten. Real fans know him. I didn't know his history at Benfica (thank you for that), but I knew of him at Fiorentina, Milan and Portugal. World class player. He will never be forgotten. ❤️

Rui Costa is a very underrated all time great.

Growing up as a Nigerian kid in that era, we had no access to live matches, but i always catch-up with Italian Serie A highlight just to watch Manuel Rui Costa.... He was such a delight to watch. To me, he is the best European playmaker ever

that ending part with him being president of benfica gave me chills... what a player he was

Rui Costa and Roberto Donadoni - 2 of Milan's best midfielders ever, yet 2 of the most underrated compared with Kaka, Pirlo, Gullit, Seedorf etc.

As some one who watched Serie A religiously in the early 2000's, it hurts me that the new generation doesn't know about this legend, he's one of the most elegant players I have ever seen. On that note I also remember Alvaro Recoba at Inter Milan was also magical.

My favourite player ever. Elegant, intelligent, brilliant. His long passes destroyed so many defences. Rui Costa was a genius.

Somehow I've never thought this way of Rui Costa and this documentary made me cry ... what a Legend!

As a Fiorentina fan Batistuta and Rui Costa were before my era but my dad's generation talk about the two like gods, the stadium was packed in those days to the point where people would sit on the stairs. The Artemio Franchi and the city of Florence were at their golden age, even now whenever Rui Costa or Batistuta attend our matches its unbelievable. Rui Costa was a legend, and Florence will forever call him one of our best.

No Milan fan can forgets abour Rui Costa. He was a MONSTER. Only reason why he isn't talked about even more by Milan fans is because he played half his tanure alongside Kaka.

As a Benfica fan, I was just a young boy and I remember watching him crying when he scored against us and we still loved him. He is now Benfica President and one that definitely has the best interest of the club at heart.

I will never forget his assist to Sheva against Real Madrid. He's never forgotten in Milano ❤️🖤

It's always unfortunate to see great talents fade into obscurity over time, but it's even more so when the player in question is also such a likeable person. I always used to play as Milan when playing FIFA 2005 and him and Inzaghi were my favourites of that team. However, the moment that I really understood what an amazing legend Rui Costa is, was when my younger brother went on trial at Benfica in the summer of 2014. My family is part Portuguese part Dutch, but we've always lived in the Netherlands and so my little bro and I never learned to speak Portuguese fluently. My brother played for Ajax before and after showing promise on that summer trial in Lisbon, Benfica TV wanted to do an interview with him for a news item about foreign youth players. There was just one problem... my brother didn't speak Portuguese and the interviewer didn't speak English. Luckily president Rui Costa was in attendance, as he was watching the training session. When he saw my brother was struggling with his Portuguese, he jumped in and started doing the interview in English instead! I couldn't believe what was happening in front of me. Club legend and president Rui Costa was being so welcoming and helpful to my little brother and I will never forget that. He's so not just a football legend. He's a great human being. The best part is that my brother didn't even recognize Rui Costa at that very moment. He was so nervous and glad that someone helped him out, that it just hadn't occurred to him who he was talking to. Can't really blame him, because this happening isn't really something you'd expect at all. When the interview was done, my mom (who does speak Portuguese) went on to thank Rui Costa for being so kind. She then told my brother what had happened and he couldn't believe it. It really showed the selflessness of Rui Costa. He just wants the best for the club and every player playing there. He deserves to be remembered for his footballing talents, but even more for his class. Great video on a great man!

Rui costa is loyal in every shirt he wore. Fantastic player with just unfortunate timing. But I always love player who are fantastic yet loyal to the club he love. Always the best stories to be told.

Rui Costa was so professional and loyal to the clubs he played for, despite the admiration from a lot of top other clubs, he always kept his head down. TRUE LEGEND OF THE GAME. Thanks for uploading this video.

Rui Costa was an incredible player. One of my biggest inspirations on the field. He is one of my idols, and one of my club's legends.

I remember watching Rui Costa alongside Batistuta, Edmundo and Toldo, back in the 90s, with Fiorentina. Magical player, playing in what was a magical time in Italian football.

They don't make them like Rui Costa anymore! What a legend.

I get tears on my eyes every time I remember Rui crying after scoring that goal against Benfica! Massive respect!

I’m a FcPorto fan but I have always admired Rui Costa , as a fan of the game Rivalries need to be put aside in order to respect Talent. RC10 was and is arguably one of the best Portuguese midfielders of all time and one of The best of his Era.

In Florence, no one will ever forget Manuel. A great player, but above all, a good person. Rui Costa will always be in our hearts!

When Rui Costa came to Milan I couldn't believe it. He was an incredible player. He brought a lot of quality to the team. I can't believe how many legend's played for AC Milan. Forza Milan 🔴⚫

A million views! Amazing! I'm glad he's getting the recognition that he deserves and young footy fans are watching a masterful maestro. One of the best Maestros ever!

I didnt forget him. He is legend. His loyalty and work ethic, hos skills and leadership.

Rui Costa and Batistuta were so fun to watch together. Serie A had great players in 90s and early 2000s

That's a pretty crazy story, he went from an open day at the clubs training ground to being the club president

O Rui Costa não foi esquecido e nunca será. Fez história como jogador e transformou o clube como presidente, é enorme!

Just discovered this channel through my cousin and it is absolutely fantastic! Keep up the great work! Love all the content you have put together so far, especially the Portuguese related content. This video just confirmed my belief that Rui Costa is absolutely in the conversation for top 5 Portuguese players of all time alongside Eusebio, Pauleta, Luis Figo and of course Cristiano Ronaldo.

Doesn't matter how many times I hear his story, it always makes me emotional. Rui Costa is a living legend, no benfiquista can forget what he did to return home and the great things he did for the club as a player, director and, now, president.

Players like him , *Dennis Bergkamp* , *Nedvid* , *Jay-Jay Okocha* , always got forgotten !! Such a shame .

Watching Rui costa playing was a piece of joy…. So elegant so much class.. every assist was a piece of art! And now also a great manager for benfica. Truly a legend and one of the best #10 ever

Rui Costa can never be forgotten

Rui Costa is my all time favorite player. Not just because I’m a Benfica fan but because the guy was a magician in midfield. Great spacial awareness, deft touch, Magic passing and deadly finishing. Generational talent

That's next level loyalty, transferring out so your childhood club can acquire substantial funds ♥

my favourite player ever.. the best trequartista... rui costa is the reason I became milan fans

Thank you for this. It was a joy to watch, a perfect example of what football can be at it's best.

Ignoring the Zidane Vs Costa thing and while being a FCP fan, Rui Costa's loyalty to Benfica is remarkable. That friendly against Fiorentina was heartbreaking.

When I was a kid Rui inspired me to fall in love with the technical style, attacking midfield and playmaking. Up to this day its still my favorite position, and these types of players are still my favorite.

I never forgot about him. My father and I never missed a Fiorentina or AC Milan game when he was playing. Obrigado Rui Costa pelas muitas boas recordações que nos proporcionou. gostaria que meu pai ainda estivesse vivo para lembrar daqueles dias.

This was a joy to watch. Thanks for the video, mate. Keep up the awesome work.

A tear came to my eye with what he did to help Benfica financially! I wouldve done the same for my club

Can we give some respect to AC Milan for releasing him of his contract. And to Costa for having some club loyalty. I long of young people miss that.

Manuel is not forgotten by who loves football. He's a Legend.

I have listened to many RU-vid videos, something is pleasing, relaxing and interesting about your voice and the way you tell these stories

Easily one of my all time favorite players. I am a lifelong Milan fan and this man is my favorite 10 that ever played for the club. And there were a lot of legendary 10s in MIlan. Somehow, Rui Costa was like silk. So elegant, effortless and intelligent. I think Pirlo learned a lot from him, from that slow paced master of the midfield.

I'm glad that he has been recognised as the best of his generation Rui was magnificent

Rui Costa the man, the myth, the legend, I loved to watch him both in Firenza and Milano! Magician with the ball

His goal against England in the Euro 2004 QF still gives me goosebumps.

I'm not a Benfica fan, quite the opposite actually, but Rui Costa is a legendary player and not underrated or forgotten at all, both for club and country, in Portugal everyone has a lot of respect for him for some reason or another, of course there's always club rivalries in between but nobody can deny what he did for our football. Now he's Benfica's president and that just shows how dedicated he is to the club. As for the National Team, that screamer in euro 2004 against England will always be on my mind! Good times, our midfield was the Magician and the Maestro!

When playing Championship Manager and Football Manager, Rui Costa was always a must sign for me. And I know this is about Rui Costa but João Pinto's diving header against England will forever be the best header in football history . And sadly, much like Rui Costa, that goal is forgotten and underrated.

Thanks for the wonderful reminder..!

That was a really good video, keep em coming

Il Maestro... He is my favorite player of all time... It always pleasure watching him play football, dribble the ball, it was like dancing on the pitch, very smooth very natural...chewing gum while he did all of that dancing stuff... Very satisfying watching him with the ball... Being a Milan fans from Van Basten era, it is an ultimate prize when he come to San Siro to play for us... Il Maestro...you'll forever be in our heart...❤️🖤

Thank you for this, as a an American with Portuguese roots I always loved the Portuguese national team and the name Rui Costa was always in my mind but never really knew who he was and today I learned all about the legend

Amazing work ! Thank you Man

I loved Rui Costa when he played for us even without knowing all this, and I was surprised when we let him go for free after spending 42Mil on him but goddamnit he deserved that and more, and now I love him even more

My first years supporting FIorentina.. in the golden age of serie A.. he really was my favorite player and he was a player that constantly makes the difference, with elegance, incredible pass precision and capble to see pass lines where nobody else can! And intelligent when he speaks, as when he plays. Thank you for this video, makes me feel something wonderful that i lived that years! ... Imagine me passing every summer in a very little village in Umbria, my mother's birthplace... where nothing remarkable happens years after years.... and one year, with the arrival of Ranieri as a trainer of Fiorentina, he bring all the team (Batistuta Rui Costa, etc...) in that improbable place... in the middle of nothing. surprisingly i could watch him and them all playin and training for free!!! soooo fun and unexpected! what a time! 💜😀💜 Grazie RUI!!!!!

Excelente canal. Obrigado por explicares melhor o legado destas lendas do futebol nacional ao publico internacional.

Anyone who lived those years can’t pass his way up from Rui Costa.. he was undeniably one of the best players of his era…and the best Portuguese player I’ve ever seen.. till today.

these are all really well done!

Im a FC Porto fan but everytime i saw Rui Costa playing i was amazed. In my books one of the best of his time.

I vaguely remember him being a special player, I was too young to see much of his career. His comments about Kaka gave me goosebumps, that's how you know he's a special human.

Sou sportinguista, mas o Rui Costa era um verdadeiro MAESTRO ⚡️

I love how you pronouce Roma and Batistuta on a Portuguese accent. Beautiful video and amazing player, so much respect and nostalgy about those Seria A days.

Growing up in the early 2000s he was my favorite player. In my village almost every kid went for Ronaldo's famous haircut but for me for I couldn't adopt Rui Costa's haircut being African, all I could do was adopt his jersey number. Long live the memories. Thanks for reminding everyone how special he was.

As a life long Milan fan I loved this guy so much. Pure class! Recently, Galliani (the former VP of AC Milan for 33 years) spoke about an episode with Rui Costa. When Kaka arrived from Brasil to Milan, he told Galliani; I am leaving the club, he is stronger than me ( meaning Kaka in his first few months at Milan as an unknown player). Galliani than convinced him to stay, but this means a lot for his character and the deep comprehension he had for football and the will to accept that someone else was stronger even when he was just a kid. Rui Costa=LEGEND!

Wholesome video and wholesome man

Il Musagete, great video mate!

He is for me my all time fav Portuguese player. Loved him at la Viola and all through his Milan's years. Typically the definition of loyalty and love.

When I was 15 I was playing in my local football club, my biggest idol was Rui Costa, I hate that he was forgotten like this, him and batistuta were a huge part of why séria A was the best league in the 90’s

The narrating here is brilliant! Beautiful video.

Wow! I had tears in my eyes. The end was beautiful.

I can’t explain how much I love and appreciate the effort that goes into these videos. Honestly brings back my childhood feeling of passion for football and the players themselves. Another amazing video ❤️

As a former milan fan (don't really support anyone anymore) I wanted him to start over kaka because he was just so amazing, but kaka did so much for us I can't really complain but he was magical, thank you for reminding me about him and I never knew that milan could have not allowed rui costa to go for free, respect them even more for that.

Ótimo conteúdo! Não fazia ideia de certas coisas que mencionou, muito bom...Adoro este senhor e já tive o prazer de o conhecer pessoalmente, grande jogador, um dos melhores de sempre! Fico muito feliz por ser ele o dirigente do nosso glorioso! Grande abraço e continuação de bom trabalho!

Talk about sacrifice, this is definitely one in millions 👏💯 As a Milan fan I loved Rui Costa went he was at Milan never knew this story ❤️💗

I was 15 and on stands in the 1991 final! it was pure madness!! Making the wining goal on his club home stadium!! Best ever match I watch live! Bom trabalho! Só um Tuga consegue dizer os nome como deve ser!

Parabéns pelo crescimento do teu canal! É bom ver alguém da comunidade Portuguesa a espalhar o seu talento pela comunidade internacional ❤️ Keep it up man!

I love your videos... They make even the unknown start relating to the player..niw I am going to search for his highlights

Obrigado pelo vídeo.

Costa & Batistuta - still remember them. Sick. Fiorentina might have never won the league, but gained friends everywhere. Class football.

Rui Costa was a killer player. One of the finest of his era.

Great video!👏

The commentator is 110% Portuguese but even with this, unbiased this was perfectly spot on

He was one of the most loyal and greatest players of all time

I'm a utd fan, I remember playing against Fiorentina and the damage Run Costa and Batistuta did against us. Both legends.

Rui Costa isn't forgotten. Talented, but not better than Zidane.

I love your videos they‘re perfect. I was a huge footballfan Till around 2010, at this time Football Started to lose it’s soul and became more about money… Your docus Focus on the good times of Football and let me remember again, why I feel in Love with this beautiful Sport so much. Thank you! ❤

One of my 3 favorite players growing up. I used to pretend I was him when I played with my friends. So stylish and was crucial for Kaka's success in Milan. Vamos presidente!

At ONE point he accumulated more assist than Zizou did for Juve.Zizou at Juve was at his peak of his career. Imagine how good was Rui Costa was. Rui Costa, Edmundo (short time), Di Li Vio, Batistuta, Toldo was the back bone of Forentina in mid to late 90s. What a great player.

Amazing video finally Rui costa the Benfica legend .👏

Se dúvidas existissem do que Rui Costa quer para o Benfica... Brutal este video, obrigado.

I love your videos, and it's always good to see someone remembering our Portuguese stars. I would like to suggest a tragic story in Portuguese football, Vitor Baptista, known as the boy with the diamond earring, who stopped a football game to look for his lost earring. He lived in the shadow of the great Eusebio, but was considered the 2nd biggest in Portugal at the time. He was eccentric, strong, good-humored and those who saw him play still say he was one of the best ever. He died in poverty, as a gardener in a cemetery, addicted to drugs and totally forgotten by everyone. There is a documentary about him by Jornal Expresso, which speaks well about this, it was content that I would really like to see here.

Nosso maestro agora orquestra o seu clube de coração. Saudações benfiquistas

Wao ! This video was an eye opener

Dude just made it effortlessly to the point it looked elegance!!! Wish i had that in football