Rui Costa

Lore & Background

Costa's time at Fiorentina was marked by constant transfer speculation. His departure was discussed every season, as many clubs showed interest in signing him. Despite this, he remained loyal to the club until one season before their bankruptcy in the 2001–02 season. In June 2001, Fiorentina agreed to sell both Costa and Francesco Toldo to Parma for 140 billion lire. Both players refused to join Parma, and instead Costa was sold to AC Milan and Toldo to Inter Milan for the same total transfer fee. When Fatih Terim left Fiorentina for AC Milan after the 2000–01 season, he took Costa with him, paying 85 billion lire (€43,898,836) — making Costa Milan's most expensive transfer of all time.

In Their Own Story

Playing away at Fiorentina after his transfer to Milan, Costa greeted his former club's fans in tears, which led to an angry reaction when he returned to Milan. The emotional moment showed the deep connection he still felt for the Florentine club where he had won two Coppa Italia trophies and a Supercoppa Italiana. His departure came just one season before Fiorentina's bankruptcy, making him one of the last great players to represent the club before its financial collapse.

Reader's Guide

Rui Costa joined Fiorentina at age 21 after three seasons in Benfica's senior squad. The transfer fee was 1,200 million escudos (approximately €6 million). During his time with Fiorentina, Costa won the Coppa Italia twice and the Supercoppa Italiana once. He remained with the club until the 2000–01 season, leaving one year before Fiorentina's bankruptcy. In June 2001, Fiorentina agreed to sell both Costa and Francesco Toldo to Parma for 140 billion lire, but both players refused the move. Instead, Costa joined AC Milan for 85 billion lire (€43,898,836), becoming Milan's most expensive transfer of all time. Fatih Terim, who had coached Costa at Fiorentina in the 2000–01 season, brought him to Milan.

Did You Know?

• Costa joined Fiorentina for approximately €6 million (1,200 million escudos) at age 21.
• He won the Coppa Italia twice and the Supercoppa Italiana once with Fiorentina.
• Costa left Fiorentina one season before their bankruptcy in the 2001–02 season.
• In June 2001, Fiorentina agreed to sell Costa and Francesco Toldo to Parma for 140 billion lire, but both players refused the move.
• Costa was sold to AC Milan for 85 billion lire (€43,898,836), making him Milan's most expensive transfer of all time.