1. Overview
Francisco José Rodrigues da Costa, commonly known as Costinha (kɔʃˈtiɲɐPortuguese), is a Portuguese former professional footballer who primarily played as a defensive midfielder. Born on December 1, 1974, in Lisbon, Portugal, he later transitioned into a career as a manager. Throughout his playing career, Costinha was recognized for his robust tackling, strategic positioning, exceptional athleticism, strong stamina, and high work rate, which made him a pivotal figure in the midfield for both his clubs and the national team. He notably played for several clubs across Portugal, France, Russia, Spain, and Italy. Among his significant achievements, Costinha secured eight trophies with Porto, including the prestigious UEFA Champions League title in 2004. He also represented the Portugal national team in over 50 matches, participating in a World Cup and two European Championships, contributing to the squad that reached the final of UEFA Euro 2004. After retiring as a player, Costinha pursued a career in football management and directorship, holding various roles at clubs such as Sporting CP, Servette FC, Beira-Mar, Paços Ferreira, Académica, and Nacional. His career reflects a dedication to football, marked by both on-field success and the challenges of management.
2. Early Life and Background
Costinha was born in Lisbon, Portugal, on December 1, 1974. His father was Angolan, having immigrated to the Portuguese capital during the 1960s. From an early age, Costinha developed a strong connection to football, growing up as a childhood fan of Sporting CP, one of Portugal's prominent football clubs.
2.1. Youth and Early Career
Costinha began his professional football journey in Portugal's third division. His early career saw him play for several clubs, where he honed his skills as a defensive midfielder. He started with Clube Oriental de Lisboa, where he made 26 appearances and scored 3 goals. Following this, he moved to A.D. Machico, playing 30 matches and finding the net 5 times. His progression continued at C.D. Nacional, where he featured in 27 matches and scored 4 goals before making a significant move to a major European league.
3. Playing Career
Costinha's playing career spanned over a decade, marked by significant achievements and key roles in midfield across various European leagues, including Portugal, France, Russia, Spain, and Italy. He was known for his tenacity and defensive prowess, contributing to numerous team successes, including a UEFA Champions League title.
3.1. Club Career
Costinha's club career saw him play for several prominent teams, achieving significant success particularly during his time with AS Monaco and FC Porto.
3.1.1. Monaco
In the summer of 1997, Costinha initially signed a five-year contract with La Liga club Valencia CF. However, he ultimately backed out of this agreement when Valencia's manager, Jorge Valdano, expressed an intention to loan him to Villarreal CF. Following this, Costinha garnered interest from French club AS Monaco FC, who secured his services through the influence of agent Jorge Mendes.
After a tentative first season during the 1997-98 French Division 1 campaign, Costinha became an increasingly important member of Monaco's first team. He played a crucial role in their 1999-2000 Ligue 1 championship victory, featuring in 28 matches and scoring one goal. During his time at Monaco, he was part of a highly talented squad that famously ousted Manchester United from the UEFA Champions League in 1998, advancing on the away goals rule. Overall, during his spell at Monaco, he made 94 appearances and scored 3 goals.
3.1.2. Porto
In May 2001, Costinha joined FC Porto on a five-year deal, marking his return to Portuguese football. He made his Primeira Liga debut on August 12, aged almost 27, in a 1-0 away loss to Sporting, where he was notably sent off. Despite this initial setback, Costinha quickly established himself as an instrumental midfielder, playing a vital role in Porto's achievement of two consecutive national championships.
A standout moment in his Porto career came on March 9, 2004, when he scored a crucial goal against Manchester United in the Champions League round of 16, effectively knocking them out of the competition. Porto went on to win the Champions League title that season, defeating his former club Monaco with a dominant 3-0 victory in the final. Costinha's success at Porto was often highlighted by his formidable partnership with fellow midfielder Maniche. Their combination was renowned for its effectiveness, with Costinha frequently covering the spaces vacated by Maniche when he pushed forward into attack. He finished his Porto career with 109 appearances and 13 goals across all competitions.
3.1.3. Later Clubs
After a successful period at Porto, where he was a consistent starter throughout the 2004-05 campaign, Costinha was transferred to FC Dynamo Moscow in May 2005 for 4.00 M EUR. This move saw him reunite with former Porto teammates Maniche and Giourkas Seitaridis, as well as Derlei, who had joined earlier. However, his time in Russia was unsettled. The following month, he was suspended after an incident that occurred during a training camp in Israel.
Due to his unsettled situation, Costinha moved to Atlético Madrid in Spain on a two-year contract ahead of the 2006-07 season. While at Atlético, his playing time was limited due to the presence of other midfielders like Peter Luccin and Maniche. Despite less on-field action, Costinha's extensive experience was highly valued, and he was known for providing positive influence and guidance to his younger teammates in the locker room. He made 24 appearances for Atlético Madrid without scoring a goal.
In August 2007, Costinha was released by Atlético Madrid and subsequently joined Atalanta BC in Serie A, Italy. His spell at Atalanta was largely hampered by serious injuries, resulting in very rare appearances; he played only one match during his first season. Despite being the highest-paid player on the first team, earning 700.00 K EUR per year on a contract set to expire in June 2010, he was later not considered fit for competitive play. The club made unsuccessful attempts to mutually terminate his contract and also tried to rescind it through the Italian Football League. Ultimately, Costinha left Atalanta by mutual consent on February 23, 2010, at which point he officially retired from professional football. His final appearance tally for Atalanta was just one match.
3.2. International Career
Costinha made his debut for the Portugal national team on October 14, 1998, in a UEFA Euro 2000 qualifier against Slovakia, which Portugal won 3-0 at home. He came on as a 67th-minute substitute, replacing Rui Costa.
He was selected for the final stages of UEFA Euro 2000, where he scored a crucial injury time header against Romania on June 17, 2000, at GelreDome in Arnhem, Netherlands, securing another 1-0 victory for Portugal. Costinha also represented Portugal in UEFA Euro 2004 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup tournaments. During the 2006 World Cup, on June 25, he was involved in the infamous Battle of Nuremberg against the Netherlands in the round-of-16. He was one of four players sent off in Portugal's 1-0 victory, receiving two bookable offenses, the second being a handball. His second international goal came on September 7, 2002, in a friendly match against England at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, where he scored in a 1-1 draw.
Costinha concluded his international career with a total of 53 caps and two goals. He was rarely called up to the national squad during the Euro 2008 qualifying stage.
4. Playing Style
Costinha primarily operated as a defensive midfielder, a position where he excelled due to a distinctive set of abilities and characteristics. He stood at 71 in (181 cm) tall and weighed 154 lb (70 kg), preferring his right foot. His play was defined by his exceptional tackling and strategic positioning, allowing him to effectively break up opposition attacks and protect the defensive line.
Beyond these technical skills, Costinha was highly regarded for his remarkable athleticism, considerable stamina, and tireless work rate. These attributes enabled him to cover extensive ground across the midfield, relentlessly pursuing opponents and recovering possession. A significant aspect of his playing style, particularly at FC Porto, was his complementary partnership with Maniche. Costinha consistently provided defensive cover for Maniche, enabling his more attacking midfield partner to push forward without leaving the team exposed. This dynamic often saw Costinha diligently covering the spaces Maniche vacated, a testament to his tactical discipline and commitment to team balance.
5. Managerial and Director Career
After retiring from playing, Costinha transitioned into administrative and coaching roles within football, taking on various director and managerial positions. His post-playing career has been marked by a mix of successes and challenges, including promotions and dismissals.
5.1. Director Roles
On February 23, 2010, immediately following his mutual contract termination with Atalanta BC and subsequent retirement from playing, Costinha was named Sporting CP's director of football. He succeeded Ricardo Sá Pinto, his former international teammate, in this role. However, his tenure at Sporting CP was brief. On February 9, 2011, just a day after an interview with Sport TV where he openly criticized the club's board of directors, Costinha was dismissed from his position. This incident highlighted his willingness to speak out, even if it led to professional consequences.
In June 2011, Costinha took on a similar capacity as director of football for Servette FC, a Swiss team that was being managed by his countryman João Alves. Reports suggested that the two did not always see eye to eye on certain issues. In November 2011, Alves was relieved of his duties and replaced by João Carlos Pereira. However, the team's results worsened under Pereira's leadership, leading to the dismissal of both Pereira and Costinha in April 2012, with Alves being reinstated as manager. Costinha reportedly contested the terms of his removal, asserting that his contract with Servette FC extended until June 2013.
5.2. Managerial Roles
Costinha embarked on his coaching career when he was hired as manager of S.C. Beira-Mar on February 18, 2013, replacing Ulisses Morais. His debut as a manager five days later resulted in a 1-0 defeat away to Vitória de Setúbal. He ultimately left the club on May 22, after the team's relegation from the top-flight.
On June 12, 2013, Costinha was appointed manager of fellow top-tier club F.C. Paços de Ferreira. This was a notable appointment, as the club had achieved qualification for the Champions League qualifying rounds for the first time in their history. His former midfield partner for Portugal and three clubs, Maniche, was also hired as his assistant. Despite the promising start, Costinha's tenure was short-lived, as he was sacked after only four months due to a string of poor results.
Costinha next took over at Académica de Coimbra on June 20, 2016, a club that had recently been relegated from the top division. Maniche again joined him as an assistant, though he later left for personal reasons in October of the same year.
On May 30, 2017, Costinha was appointed as manager of C.D. Nacional. In his first year with the club, he successfully guided them back to the top tier of Portuguese football, leading them to become champions of LigaPro. However, a year later, on May 24, 2019, Costinha left Nacional by mutual consent following the Madeira team's relegation as second-bottom. A particularly negative highlight during this period was a substantial 10-0 loss against eventual champions S.L. Benfica on February 10, 2019, an outcome for which Costinha publicly took responsibility.
Costinha made a return to Nacional, which had again been relegated from the main division, on June 28, 2021, signing a one-year deal. His second stint was brief, as he left the club on September 20, 2021, having achieved one win and one draw in five games.
6. Honours
Costinha's career, both as a player and a manager, was marked by several significant team titles and individual recognitions.
6.1. Player
- Monaco
- Ligue 1: 1999-2000
- Trophée des Champions: 1997, 2000
- Porto
- Primeira Liga: 2002-03, 2003-04
- Taça de Portugal: 2002-03
- Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2003, 2004
- UEFA Champions League: 2003-04
- UEFA Cup: 2002-03
- Intercontinental Cup: 2004
- Portugal
- UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2004
6.2. Manager
- Nacional
- LigaPro: 2017-18
6.3. Orders
- Knight/Officer of the Order of Infante D. Henrique
Ribbon of the Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa. Medal of Merit, Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa (House of Braganza)
7. Career Statistics
Costinha's career statistics provide a quantitative overview of his performance across his playing and managerial roles.
7.1. Club Statistics
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Continental | Total | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||||||||
| Monaco | 1997-98 | Ligue 1 | 11 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 1998-99 | 21 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1999-00 | 28 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2000-01 | 24 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 94 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| Porto | 2001-02 | Primeira Liga | 29 | 3 | |||||||||||||||
| 2002-03 | 23 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2003-04 | 27 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2004-05 | 30 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 109 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||
| Dynamo Moscow | 2005 | Russian Premier League | 10 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| Atlético Madrid | 2006-07 | La Liga | 24 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| Atalanta | 2007-08 | Serie A | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 | |||||||
| 2008-09 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| 2009-10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||
| Career total | 238 | 16 | |||||||||||||||||
7.2. International Statistics
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 1998 | 1 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2000 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2001 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2002 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2003 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2004 | 15 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2006 | 12 | 0 | |
| Total | 53 | 2 | |
7.3. Managerial Statistics
| Team | From | To | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games managed | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals for | Goals against | Goal difference | Winning percentage | |||
| Beira-Mar | 2013 | 2013 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 18 | -6 | 18.18 |
| Paços Ferreira | 2013 | 2013 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 15 | 31 | -16 | 14.29 |
| Académica | 2016 | 2017 | 48 | 20 | 13 | 15 | 48 | 38 | +10 | 41.67 |
| Nacional | 2017 | 2019 | 81 | 29 | 22 | 30 | 123 | 140 | -17 | 35.80 |
| Career totals | 154 | 53 | 39 | 62 | 198 | 227 | -29 | 34.42 | ||
8. Assessment and Legacy
Costinha's career stands as a testament to the impact of a dedicated and disciplined defensive midfielder in modern football. His ability to consistently perform at the highest levels in various European leagues, particularly his crucial role in FC Porto's 2004 Champions League triumph, solidified his reputation as a key player. The strong partnership he forged with Maniche is often cited as a prime example of complementary skills, where Costinha's defensive solidity allowed Maniche greater freedom in attack, showcasing the value of a balanced and cooperative midfield.
Beyond his playing days, Costinha's transition to director and managerial roles revealed a determined individual, not afraid to voice his convictions. His public criticism of the Sporting CP board, while leading to his dismissal, can be viewed as a commitment to accountability and transparency, principles often valued in discussions about club governance. His managerial career, though marked by both successes like leading Nacional to a league title and challenges such as team relegations and significant defeats, reflects the inherent difficulties and unpredictable nature of coaching. Despite these fluctuations, his persistence in the dugout underscores his enduring passion for the sport. Costinha's contributions to Portuguese football, both on the field and in management, alongside national recognition such as the Medal of Merit from the Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa, confirm his lasting legacy within the sport.