Ricardo Costa life and biography

Ricardo Miguel Moreira da Costa ( born 16 May 1981 in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto) is a Portuguese footballer who currently plays for Valencia CF.

Mainly a central defender, he can occasionally play as a full back.

Club career

Costa, a product of Boavista FC's youth system, moved to neighbours F.C. Porto when he was still an apprentice. He made his first division debut in a 2002 derby match, precisely against Boavista, but never became more than a fringe player, being preferred in the stopper's pecking order in consecutive seasons to namesake Jorge, Pedro Emanuel, Pepe and Bruno Alves.

In July 2007, as first team opportunities appeared few at Porto, Costa joined Bundesliga's VfL Wolfsburg. After a shaky start, he finished the season as an undisputed starter, as the side reached a UEFA Cup final standing.

In the summer of 2009, Costa was about to be transferred to Real Zaragoza, but the transfer couldn't be completed, because both parties couldn't come to an agreement. The deal was finally cancelled on 29 July 2009, and Costa returned to Wolfsburg.

On 28 January 2010, although he was being used regularly at Wolfsburg, Costa transferred to OSC Lille in France. On 17 May, after having contributed relatively to Lille's fourth place, he moved teams and countries again, joining Valencia CF of Spain on a four-year deal.

International career

Costa played for Portugal at under-21 level and was also a part of the Olympic team that played in Athens 2004.

A full international since 2005, he was called-up to the first team squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where he appeared against Germany, in the third-place match.

On May 10, 2010, national team boss Carlos Queiroz announced a provisional list of 24 players in view for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, with Costa being included, thus returning to the squad after an absence of four years.

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