Rui Manuel C�sar Costa, OIH, is a Portuguese retired footballer, former director of football for S.L. Benfica, and currently one of the councilors for Sport Lisboa e Benfica ? Futebol, SAD. Costa played as an attacking midfielder but was also capable of playing as a deep-lying playmaker, and was renowned for his fine technique, great vision and excellent passing, and is now regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation. In 2004, he was named by Pel� in the FIFA 100, as one of the 125 greatest living football players. Nicknamed "the Maestro", Costa spent the majority of his career with Benfica in Portugal and Fiorentina and A.C. Milan in Italy. In a top-flight career spanning 17 years, he won several trophies including one Primeira Liga title, one Portuguese Cup, one Serie A title, three Italian Cups, one UEFA Champions League title and one UEFA Super Cup. A Portuguese international, Costa amassed 94 caps and scored 26 goals for a selec��o and represented the country in three UEFA European Championships and one FIFA World Cup. 

March 29th, 1972 in Amadora (Age 52)