Manuel Rui Costa (Portugal) 1994 – 2001
Few players are seen as such a perfect fit for the number 10 shirt but when the playmaking gods created the fantasista, Rui Costa was one of the best they produced.
The player oozed class on the pitch, and was equally classy off it. Loyalty is a rare thing in the modern era but Fiorentina’s number 10 stood by his club, year after year, only leaving when il Viola went bankrupt and could recoup a large fee for his services from long-time suitor’s AC Milan.
Although he won very little in Florence, especially when held in comparison to his career at Milan, Rui Costa played his best football in the purple of Fiorentina where he became an idol to the fans. It was there he formed one of the most devastating attacking partnerships that was the envy of all Europe.
At the time, Fiorentina had a fairly average squad, but boasted arguably the best number 9-number 10 combination in the game, with another Viola legend – Gabriel Batistuta – working in tandem with the Portuguese playmaker.
Rui Costa and the Argentine striker caused havoc week in, week out in Serie A, and at times, in Europe: the number 10 scheming and providing the bullets for the number 9, ‘Bati-gol!’
Although he eventually left Florence, Rui Costa saw the decade out in the Renaissance City and probably played his finest football upon Batistuta’s departure when he took over the captain’s armband.
Graceful, intelligent, selfless and always looking to create for others around him, Rui Costa was a perfect number 10 during the 90s.
’90s Serie A clubs: Fiorentina
’90s Serie A apps/goals: 239/40
’90s Serie A honours: Coppa Italia, Italian Supercup
