Ricardo Miguel Moreira da Costa (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁiˈkaɾdu ˈkɔʃtɐ]; born 16 May 1981 in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto) is a Portuguese footballer who currently plays for Wolfsburg.

Mainly a central defender, he can occasionally play in the flanks.

[edit] 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.^[1] The deal was finally cancelled on 29 July 2009, and Costa returned to Wolfsburg.^[2]

[edit] 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.

[edit] Honours

• Porto:
  • UEFA Cup: 2002–03
  • UEFA Champions League: 2003–04
  • Intercontinental Cup: 2004
  • Portuguese League: 2002–03, 2003–04, 2005–06, 2006–07
  • Portuguese Cup: 2003–04, 2005–06

• Wolfsburg:
  • German League: 2008–09

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Stats and profile at Zerozero
• Bundesliga stats (German)
• NationalFootballTeams data

v • d • e Portugal squad – 2004 Summer Olympics 1 Moreira • 2 M. Sérgio • 3 R. Meireles • 4 Bruno Alves • 5 Costa • 6 Meira • 7 C. Ronaldo • 8 Viana • 9 H. Almeida • 10 C. Martins • 11 Ribeiro • 12 Frechaut • 13 Boa Morte • 14 Bosingwa • 15 Lourenço • 16 João Paulo • 17 Danny • 18 Bruno Vale • Coach: Romão

v • d • e Portugal squad – 2006 FIFA World Cup Fourth Place 1 Ricardo • 2 Ferreira • 3 Caneira • 4 Costa • 5 Meira • 6 Costinha • 7 Figo • 8 Petit • 9 Pauleta • 10 Viana • 11 Simão • 12 Quim • 13 Miguel • 14 Valente • 15 Boa Morte • 16 Carvalho • 17 C. Ronaldo • 18 Maniche • 19 Tiago • 20 Deco • 21 Nuno Gomes • 22 Santos • 23 H. Postiga • Coach: Scolari

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