“When I close my eyes, I still feel atmosphere of the Stadium”

On the 14th anniversary of Estádio da Luz, Rui Costa recalls stories, moments and emotions experienced in this new Cathedral, the largest sports venue in the country and, for the administrator of SAD, “the best in Europe”.

“As a Benfica fan and as man linked with football who travels through the greatest pitches in Europe, I have to say to people who have not had the opportunity to come to the new Stadium, that we are fortunate to be in what I consider the best in Europe" , said the former football player and current administrator  of Benfica’s SAD  to BTV.

It was on  25 October 25^th, 2003 that the old  Estádio da Luz gave way to the new Cathedral. Built in record time (just over two years), the inauguration has been done with all the pomp and circumstance. A spectacle of light, color and sound filled the space and colored the skies of Lisbon. The first night of 14 years of emotion that, even today, Rui Costa cannot explain.

“My past has been inside the pitch and I have had the privilege of playing in this stadium. I have had many fantastic and unforgettable moments, but I highlight two: the Euro 2004 and then the last game of my career.  It was what I wanted to end my career as a footballer. The excitement of playing here is huge, it's a huge joy to play here”, he confessed.

Almost two years after returning to the club where he graduated, Rui Costa made the last game of his football career. 86 minutes he will  never forget.

“When I close my eyes I still remember the impact that the atmosphere of this Stadium has on a player.”, he remembered with emotion.

“To end your career never easy. It's a day you can't describe. The end of something that you do since the age of six and that you will not be able to do it again, "he recalled.

“I always dreamed of being an important player in Benfica. But I never dreamed of leaving football with such affection from the Club that I always dreamed of playing. To have the Stadium doing everything they made for me ... I feel like the most vain player in the world. It was priceless, "he admitted.

"I remember looking at electronic substitution board I do not know how many times. One of the sensations I have of that game is to look at board every minute... It seemed a party held for me, it didn’t look like a Championship game. I'll never have words to thank for that "

“It's been 10 seasons and I still cannot watch the farewell images …”, confessed the “Maestro”.

On January 6th, 2014, thousands of people said farewell to Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, who had died the day before.

“It was a striking and very sad day. It is a moment of this Stadium that, within the sadness, could only have been lived here. Only that person could have that farewell”, he remembered. 

Rui Costa has always been linked to football and Benfica. In 2008 he assumed the position of Sports Director, and was consequently transferred to SAD administrator, a position he holds until this day.

Text: Filipa Fernandes Garcia

Pics: Archive / SL Benfica