Alessandro Costacurta facts for kids

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Alessandro Costacurta

Costacurta in 2011
Personal information
Full name	Alessandro Costacurta
Date of birth	(1966-04-24) 24 April 1966 (age 59)
Place of birth	Jerago con Orago, Italy
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
	Asso
1979–1986	AC Milan
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1986–2007	AC Milan	458	(3)
1986–1987	→ Monza (loan)	30	(0)
Total		488	(3)
International career
1986–1990	Italy U21	8	(0)
1991–1998	Italy	59	(2)
Managerial career
2008–2009	Mantova
Medal record Representing  Italy FIFA World Cup Runner-up 1994
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Alessandro Costacurta, born on April 24, 1966, is a famous Italian former football player. He was a strong defender on the field.

He spent more than 20 years playing for AC Milan from 1986 to 2007. He also had a short time on loan at Monza. Costacurta was a key part of one of the best defenses in Italian and European football. He played alongside legends like Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, and Mauro Tassotti.

Under coaches Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello, he helped Milan win many titles. These included 7 Serie A titles and 5 Champions League trophies. He retired from playing football on May 19, 2007, when he was 41 years old. In his last game for Milan, he scored a goal from a penalty kick. This made him the oldest goal scorer in Serie A at the time.

Costacurta was also an important player for the Italian national team in the 1990s. He played 59 games for Italy and scored 2 goals. He played in two World Cups (1994 and 1998) and one European Championship (1996). With Italy, he reached the 1994 World Cup Final, but they lost to Brazil in a penalty shootout.

Playing for Clubs

Starting at AC Milan and Monza Loan

Alessandro Costacurta was often called "Billy" by his fans. This nickname came from his slim build when he was young. It also came from his great skill in basketball. Milan's local basketball team was called "Billy" back then.

Costacurta grew up playing in the AC Milan youth team. He then played for the senior team for over 20 seasons. Before that, he spent a short time on loan at Monza in the Serie C1 league during the 1986–87 season.

He made his first Milan debut in the Coppa Italia in the 1986–87 season. However, his first game in Serie A for Milan was in 1987. This was under coach Arrigo Sacchi. Costacurta's first Serie A match was on October 25, 1987, against Hellas Verona. Milan won that game 1–0. Milan also won the Serie A title that season. Costacurta did not play much that year. This was because a more experienced player, Filippo Galli, played in his position.

Winning Big with Sacchi and Capello

Costacurta in 1992

In the 1988–89 season, Costacurta started playing more often for Milan. He played in Milan's 3–1 win over Sampdoria in the 1988 Supercoppa Italiana. He played 26 games in Serie A that season. He also won his first European Cup title. Milan beat Steaua București 4–0 in the final.

During the 1989–90 season, Costacurta won his second European Cup in a row with Milan. They beat Benfica 1–0 in the final. He also helped Milan win the Intercontinental Cup and the European Supercup. Costacurta scored his first Serie A goal that season. It was in a 3–1 loss to Internazionale in the Derby della Madonnina.

In Sacchi's last season, Costacurta became a regular starter. He played as a central defender with Franco Baresi. The team's defense, including Mauro Tassotti and Paolo Maldini, is known as one of the best ever. Costacurta played 25 Serie A games that season. He also won his second Intercontinental Cup and European Super Cup.

Under coach Capello, Costacurta continued to be a key player. He won four Serie A titles. Three of these were in a row (1991–92, 1992–93, and 1993–94). He also won a Champions League title in 1994. Milan also won the UEFA Super Cup in 1994 and three Italian Supercups.

Milan reached three Champions League finals in a row from 1992–93 to 1994–95. Costacurta missed the 1994 Champions League final win. This was because he was suspended after getting a red card in the semi-final. Milan also won the 1991–92 Serie A title without losing a single game. Costacurta was important in Milan's defense in 1993–94. They only let in 15 goals all season, which was the best defense in Italy.

Later Years and Success with Ancelotti

Costacurta celebrating the win of the 2002–03 UEFA Champions League

After 1996, Milan had some tough years. But Costacurta, along with Maldini, helped the team. In the 1998–99 season, with new coach Alberto Zaccheroni, Costacurta was still a key player. He often played in the middle of a three-man defense. He also became Milan's vice-captain. Milan won their 16th Scudetto (Serie A title) that season. This was Costacurta's sixth title.

For the 2001–02 season, Carlo Ancelotti, Costacurta's former teammate, became Milan's coach. Ancelotti helped Milan finish fourth in Serie A. This allowed them to play in the Champions League the next season. Ancelotti's arrival brought a new era of success for Milan. Costacurta was part of another great defense. This defense included players like Maldini, Alessandro Nesta, Jaap Stam, and Cafu.

In 2002, Costacurta's contract was ending. He planned to leave Milan at age 36 to study in the United States. However, Milan needed defenders because of injuries. So, he was asked to stay and renewed his contract. Milan won their first Coppa Italia with Costacurta. He played as both a central defender and a right-back.

Milan reached the Champions League final that season. It was the first all-Italian final against Juventus. On May 28, 2003, Milan won the Champions League after a penalty shootout. Costacurta started the game and was substituted in the second half. This was his fourth Champions League title.

In the next season, Milan won the 2003–04 Serie A title. Costacurta, at 37, won his seventh league title with Milan. In 2004, he was voted 50th in the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll. This poll celebrated the best European footballers of the past 50 years.

Costacurta continued to play for Milan. In the 2004–05 season, Milan won the Supercoppa Italiana. Milan also reached the 2005 Champions League final against Liverpool. Milan was leading 3–0 at halftime, but Liverpool came back to tie the game. Liverpool won the title in a penalty shootout. This game is known as "The Miracle of Istanbul."

Costacurta was going to retire at the end of the 2005–06 season. But he signed a one-year extension at age 40. On November 21, 2006, he became the oldest player to play in the Champions League. He was 40 years and 211 days old. This record was later broken by Marco Ballotta.

Costacurta started his final professional season at age 40. During this season, he won his fifth UEFA Champions League title with Milan. On May 7, 2007, at age 41, he announced his retirement. He played his last home game for Milan on May 19, 2007. He scored a penalty goal in a 3–2 loss to Udinese. This was his first Serie A goal since 1991. With this goal, he became the oldest goal scorer in Serie A at 41 years and 25 days.

Costacurta won many trophies with Milan. These include seven Serie A titles and five European Cup/Champions League titles. He also won one Coppa Italia, five Supercoppa Italiana, four UEFA Supercups, and two Intercontinental Cups. He played 662 games for Milan. Only Franco Baresi (719) and Paolo Maldini (902) have played more games for the club.

Playing for Italy

Costacurta played for the Italian under-21 team from 1986 to 1990. He played in two European Championships.

He became a regular player for the Italian national team in the 1990s. He played for his country in three big tournaments. These were the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, and Euro 1996. He made his debut for the senior team on November 13, 1991, against Norway. He scored his first goal for Italy on June 4, 1992, from a penalty kick.

Costacurta was a starting defender for Italy at the 1994 World Cup. He helped Italy reach the final. He played very well in defense, especially after Franco Baresi was injured and Mauro Tassotti was suspended. He helped Italy keep a clean sheet against Norway, even with only ten players. However, he missed the 1994 World Cup final because he was suspended. Italy lost that final to Brazil on penalties.

Costacurta also played in UEFA Euro 1996 for Italy. Italy was knocked out in the first round. He was a key defender for Italy in the 1998 World Cup. He played in all five of Italy's games. Italy kept three clean sheets. Italy was knocked out in the quarter-finals by France in a penalty shootout. Costacurta scored his penalty in the shootout. He retired from international football in 1998. He played 59 games for Italy and scored two goals.

How He Played

Many experts and players think Costacurta was one of the greatest defenders ever. He was part of some of the strongest defenses in history at Milan. He played with Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, and Mauro Tassotti. He was a very flexible defender. He could play anywhere along the back line. This helped him have a long and successful career.

Costacurta was a complete and hard-working defender. He was good at passing the ball and had solid technique. He was also very smart tactically. He was known for his excellent timing and strong tackles. He was quick-thinking and good in the air. He could read the game very well and predict what would happen. Even though he wasn't the fastest or strongest, he was very precise and focused. He was good at both man-marking and zonal marking. He was also a good penalty taker. Costacurta was known for his leadership and professionalism. In 2014, Fabio Cannavaro said Costacurta was the best defender he had ever played with.

After Playing and Coaching Career

After he retired from playing, Costacurta joined Carlo Ancelotti's coaching staff at Milan. He worked as a technical assistant. He also earned his own coaching licenses.

On October 27, 2008, Costacurta became the new coach of Mantova. They were a team in Serie B. However, his time at Mantova was not successful. He resigned from the coaching job on February 9, 2009.

In 2010, he started working for Sky Italia. He became a football expert on TV. He is now one of the main sports personalities on that channel.

Personal Life

Costacurta is married to Martina Colombari, who was a former Miss Italia. They have one son named Achille.

Costacurta is known for speaking out against unfairness and discrimination.

On July 26, 2021, his mother, Margherita Beccegato, passed away at 87 years old.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Managerial

Team	Nat	From	To	Record
				G	W	D	L	Win %	GF	GA	GD
Mantova		27 October 2008	9 February 2009	13	4	4	5	30.77	15	19	–4
Total				13	4	4	5	30.77	15	19	–4

Honours

Player

AC Milan

• Serie A: 1987–88, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04
• Coppa Italia: 2002–03
• Supercoppa Italiana: 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2004
• European Cup/UEFA Champions League: 1988–89, 1989–90, 1993–94, 2002–03, 2006–07
• European Super Cup/UEFA Super Cup: 1989, 1990, 1994
• Intercontinental Cup: 1989, 1990

Italy

• FIFA World Cup runners-up: 1994

Individual

• Premio Nazionale Carriera Esemplare "Gaetano Scirea": 2000
• UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll: #50
• AC Milan Hall of Fame

See also

In Spanish: Alessandro Costacurta para niños