From the official site....


UNIQUE EMOTION
Whoever loves football is fond of Manuel Rui Costa. Because he can pull off fine moves, because he conveys great passion and because he reacts to everything that comes his way. When he scored Portugal's 2-1 goal against England to beat David James with a sumptuous strike from 25 metres in the 110th minute, even the voice of the Italian TV commentators trembled with emotion. 'Great one, Rui'. His goals for Milan in Serie A, both scored in front of the San Siro fans, against Ancona and Perugia, have also been important, but this one to keep his National side in the running at EURO 2004 will have a special meaning in his career. In the pulsating quarter-final at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, which saw the home side eventually overcame England on penalties, the personality Rui showed when he stepped on as a substitute, with 13 minutes remaining and changed the match, was impressive. Timely moves, quick balls, pinpoint passes all over the pitch. He did it many times with Milan as well, even in the recent game against Chievo in which he seemed to do no wrong. But on Thursday it was now or never. The 2-1 strike was superb. Rui showed power, surge, class, energy. His Benfica stadium was behind him and for him in the moments following his great goal. The hearts of the Milan fans were throbbing during his celebration. Go on like this, Manuel. The penalty he sent wide over the bar added more excitement to the final shoot-out, it was just a detail. The important thing was the qualification and without Rui - coach Felipe Scolari deserves applause for his substitution at the right time - Portugal would have hardly savoured the thrill of the last four. Kaka and Deco permitting, this was only and definitely the night of Rui Costa.

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Je suis en liberteé totale
Une autre étoile qui vole
La nuit est Claire, Le temp s’arrête
C’est pas un dejà vu
Le monde danse, Le monde chante
L’éternitée soulage mes peines
La vie est arrivée, Je suis le vent qui lève le feu et l’eau.--B. Cuevas

'Twas a stunning goal, no question. Breathtaking.

Shame about the penalty, though. But I suppose you can't have it all. Should have heard us girls having our 'girl's night in front of the footy' yelling with joy when he scored such a beauty. We'd been waiting for something like that since he came on.

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The guy is amazing and i personally think that if he goes back to Benifca to play he will be noticed by everyone.....I hope him and Figo go to Benifca to finsih off their careers

Well, he has stated over and over that a return to Benfica will be at the END of his career....so they can have him once he's done at Milan!

__________________
Je suis en liberteé totale
Une autre étoile qui vole
La nuit est Claire, Le temp s’arrête
C’est pas un dejà vu
Le monde danse, Le monde chante
L’éternitée soulage mes peines
La vie est arrivée, Je suis le vent qui lève le feu et l’eau.--B. Cuevas

he led millan to a win today aganist celtic today........as soon as he came in there was 2 goals for milan

Why Ancelotti insists on trying to use Rui Costa as a sub is beyond me. Yeah, we win under Ancelotti, but I still question his decisions and how/why he makes them sometimes. Oh well, one thing is for certain--Rui Costa is a classy guy and never complains about what Ancelotti hands him!

__________________
Je suis en liberteé totale
Une autre étoile qui vole
La nuit est Claire, Le temp s’arrête
C’est pas un dejà vu
Le monde danse, Le monde chante
L’éternitée soulage mes peines
La vie est arrivée, Je suis le vent qui lève le feu et l’eau.--B. Cuevas

yeah, I'm a bit disappointed that Rui is playing less and less these days, you have to hand it to the kid Kaka, but it's too bad.

Carlo did seem to want to try Rui and Kaka last year with lone striker, but Powerman3000 Berlusconi wasn't having any of that!

Given substitution roles, injury back-up roles for Kaka and Pirlo, and occassional starts with full usage (I presume) in Coppa games, will Rui be at AC Milan next year?????

He does seem a bit too traditional (loyalist) and could stay at AC till 2006 till his contract expires....but I wouldn't rull out early free transfer to his beloved Fiorentina....alternatively he would free transfer to his original Benfica in 2006.

Thoughts????

My initial reaction is that I hope he stays, but that's based on the fact he's been a favorite player of mine for about 7 years and having him join Milan was like a dream come true. However....

Yes, one has to wonder how long he'll actually put up with not being used as a principle playmaker, how long he'll put up with being (mis-)used as a sub and so on. I had my doubts he'd return this season, after the treatment he got last season but he surprised me. Next season? I've been thinking for a while now that he'd be justified in leaving. Staying until 2006 and NOT playing regularly really won't help his talent too much, and I keep that in mind all the time!

__________________
Je suis en liberteé totale
Une autre étoile qui vole
La nuit est Claire, Le temp s’arrête
C’est pas un dejà vu
Le monde danse, Le monde chante
L’éternitée soulage mes peines
La vie est arrivée, Je suis le vent qui lève le feu et l’eau.--B. Cuevas