Rui Costa

Portugal · Attacking midfielder · Gen 2 · Zidane & Ronaldinho · Peak 1994-2003

Graceful playmaker whose silky touch and killer passes orchestrated attacks

Nicknames O Maestro

81.2OVR#102 of 1,235 outfield players

Position-weighted average of all outfield and career attributes, as on the main table.

“Rui is a master in the art of conducting the ball. He is a playmaker who can decide a game, marking its rhythm with the ball at his feet and his eyes on the game.”
— Carlos Queiroz, Portugal youth coach · source

Category averages

  • Speed77.8
  • Shooting76.6
  • Passing88.7
  • Ball Control88.2
  • Movement73.2
  • Football IQ90.0
  • Defending Skill43.7
  • Physical72.4
  • Mental79.7
  • Career82.8

Top 10 attributes

  1. Vision95
  2. Loyalty95
  3. Through Balls94
  4. Short Passing92
  5. Possession92
  6. First Touch92
  7. Spatial Awareness92
  8. Dribbling91
  9. Long Passing90
  10. Link-up Play90

All 64 attributes

Speed 77.8

  • Top Speed75
  • Acceleration79
  • Dribbling Speed83
  • Top Speed with Ball75
  • Knock-on & Run69
  • Change of Pace86

Shooting 76.6

  • Finishing78
  • Shot Power80
  • Long Shots86
  • Volleys76
  • Curve86
  • Penalties78
  • Heading56
  • Direct Free Kicks80
  • Shooting Creativity84
  • Acrobatics62

Passing 88.7

  • Short Passing92
  • Long Passing90
  • Through Balls94
  • Crossing78
  • Link-up Play90
  • Vision95
  • Set-Piece Delivery82

Ball Control 88.2

  • Dribbling91
  • Possession92
  • First Touch92
  • Skills & Tricks86
  • Weak Foot80
  • Press Resistance88

Movement 73.2

  • Off-the-Ball Movement82
  • Runs in Behind72
  • Attacking Positioning80
  • Anticipation84
  • Recovery Runs48

Football IQ 90.0

  • Decision Making90
  • Spatial Awareness92
  • Game Management88
  • Tactical Creativity90

Defending Skill 43.7

  • Defensive Positioning52
  • Marking40
  • Interceptions54
  • Standing Tackle48
  • Sliding Tackle38
  • Offside Trap30

Physical 72.4

  • Strength64
  • Stamina77
  • Agility85
  • Balance86
  • Recovery74
  • Reactions80
  • Hold-up Play70
  • Aerial Duels56
  • Aggression60

Mental 79.7

  • Big-Game Temperament86
  • Leadership82
  • Selflessness76
  • Concentration80
  • Determination82
  • Tactical Discipline72

Career 82.8

  • Consistency86
  • Longevity86
  • Achievements69
  • Durability78
  • Loyalty95

Profile

Born
29 March 1972
Height
180 cm
Foot
Right
Career
1990–2008
Prime
1994-2003

Club career

  • 1990–1991 Fafe (loan)
  • 1991–1994 Benfica
  • 1994–2001 Fiorentina
  • 2001–2006 AC Milan
  • 2006–2008 Benfica

Honours

European Cup / Champions League 1

2003 AC Milan

League title · Primeira Liga Benfica 1

1993–94

League title · Serie A AC Milan 1

2003–04

UEFA Super Cup 1

2003

Coppa Italia 3

1995–96, 2000–01, 2002–03

Taça de Portugal 1

1992–93

Supercoppa Italiana 2

1996, 2004

Trophy illustrations: Wikimedia Commons

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