Rui Costa: Luz at his feet on his birthday

March 29 is always special for Rui Manuel César Costa, but there is one that is unforgettable. 24 years ago, Rui Costa turned 22 and Estádio da Luz hosted one of those European nights of glory that perpetuate the Cathedral in time and in history.

The first leg of the Cup Winners Cup semi-final between Benfica and Parma. The filled stands sang "happy birthday" to the Maestro who repaid with a fantastic performance.

Benfica won by 2-1 and, like in the old Roman Empire, one must give to Caesar what is Caesar's. The match was his and only his. Rui Costa painted the encounter with plays of pure magic. At 7’, the eagles opened the scoring through Isaías after a play built by Rui Costa. The creative player received the ball in the defensive midfield, he combined with Yuran, he left two opponents behind and assisted Isaías for the 1-0.

The recital of good football from the number 10 continued with passes, dribbles, ball control always with his head raised… The Maestro thought, conducted the orchestra that responded on the pitch with a melody that rocked the stadium. The climax arrives at 60’. A quick counter-attack from Benfica, a combination between Yuran and Isaías, with the Ukrainian delivering the cross ; the ball went towards Vítor Paneira, who passed to João Vieira Pinto. This one, with a small touch, left Rui Costa be happy on a day of celebration. The shot gave no chance to Luca Bucci and left the reds in the lead in the tie.

On that night of March 29, 1994, Rui Costa had Luz at his feet and he deserved it.

Other March 29th in Rui Costa's life

Normally on this date, throughout his entire playing career, Rui Costa was representing the club or the National team. 

On his birthday, Rui Costa represented the Senior National Team in Northern Ireland-Portugal match in the qualifying round for 1998 World Cup. The match took place in 1997 and finished with a 0-all draw. The former Benfica player was a starter and played the full 90 minutes. In 2000, the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, in Leiria, hosted the friendly match between Portugal and Denmark (2-1). Rui Costa played 75 minutes and opened the scoring at 41’ through a penalty kick. Three years later, in 2003, at Estádio das Antas, Portugal and Brasil locked horns in a friendly match. The attacking-midfielder play the full match in a triumph from the Portuguese team by 2-1.

At the club level, Rui Costa, who now turns 46, made two more matches (apart from the clash against Parma) on his birthday. In 1992, in the quarter-finals of the Portuguese Cup he played 25 minutes in Benfica-SC Espinho (6-0). In 1998, he was a starter and played the full 90 minutes in Fiorentina's 5-0 thrashing of Napoli . In 2006, he was an unused in the Lyon-Milan match of the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

Text: Marco Rebelo

Pics: Archive / SL Benfica