http://www.uefa.com/magazine/news/kind=4/newsid=564397.html Pass master Friday 27 July 2007 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rui Costa was a cult figure in his early days at SL Benfica, during his 12 years in Italy with ACF Fiorentina and AC Milan, and now at Benfica again – since his much-heralded homecoming last summer. There's something about Rui, and he believes he knows what it is. "I've always tried to give what people want – coaches, team-mates, the fans. I'm happy to know I'm popular as a player and for what I've done off the pitch. I think I'm a correct person, and that has contributed." Pride The 35-year-old has worn the No10 shirt with pride for Portugal and every club he has played at. "The number has accompanied me since I was little. I've been lucky. It's also a superstition. It's a number I've always wanted, even when I was a youngster, as my idols wore it. Michel Platini was one of my main idols. I'm a creative player, and creativity is important on the pitch. It's what I like doing most." Kaka praise If there was one player he would pay to watch it would, ironically, be Kaka, the Brazilian who took over Rui Costa's role at Milan. "He's my successor in Milan. Apart from being a great person on and off the pitch, he's very good technically and physically and has a perfect understanding of the game. He has a will to win and will become one of the best players in the world." Best and worst For all Rui Costa's exploits for Portugal, the two moments that stand out most were in his UEFA Champions League finals with Milan. One he won, in 2003 against Juventus. Two years later he lost against Liverpool FC, when he came on in extra-time. His team had taken a three-goal lead by half-time – but they squandered it and then lost on penalties. "Winning and losing the Champions League finals were the best and worst moments. Against Liverpool, it was very strange. It stays in the memory. Not just losing, but also how we lost. It was very difficult to get over. It was one of the most difficult moments in my career, and that of all my team-mates." Back home He admits Portugal does not offer the standard of football he enjoyed in Italy, but says being back at Benfica brings other rewards. "More than the [differences in] competitive level between Italy and Portugal, it's very important for me to play in my country. I'm very happy and proud to have returned. I believe the Portuguese league can reach that level soon. Today, it doesn't have the level of Italian, Spanish or English football – but it has the conditions [it needs] to reach it." International success Rui Costa has a positive view of his time with the Portuguese national team that ended when he retired after the UEFA EURO 2004 final. "Going to three European Championships and a World Cup is positive in my opinion. Losing Euro 2004 at home was a huge shame. Winning it in Portugal would have been the highest point in my career. I was proud to get to the final, but it was a big shame to lose it." He does not believe the idea of a golden generation became a burden for Portugal. "The so-called golden generation had already gone. It was completely hidden from the big competitions. We played in the biggest championships in the world, and our victory was perhaps achieving that." Pragmatism Rui Costa agrees that Portugal's style under coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has been more pragmatic but has brought impressive results. "It's more practical, yes. The current national team has a more objective style. A lot more than before. But they have been doing well. In every tournament, Portugal has the objective of trying to win, and I believe that if Portugal play the same way as they've been playing they can win Euro 2008." Future plans Rui Costa is not thinking about retiring yet, but when he does, he could be offered a coaching job at Benfica. "I don't yet know how long I'll carry on playing. I'm not tired of playing. I still have a great passion for the game. I don't know what I'll do when I finish my career. I'll probably stay linked to football, as it's in my blood. I'll certainly stay in Portugal. Probably with Benfica." --

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