Sofascore: Dear Mr. Costacurta, let me start off by just saying – it’s a privilege, in fact, an honor, just to be sitting in front of you.
Costacurta: Thanks, thanks.
Sofascore: And of course, welcome to the new episode of Sofascore’s YouTube series called A Guest and a Half – 45 minutes of small talk, big names, and stoppage time.
Costacurta: Thanks.
A Life Beyond Football: Family, Sky Italia, and Padel Injuries
Sofascore: As a proper football legend, as one of the defenders widely recognized as one of the best in football history, let me ask you first – how are you in general, and what have you been doing lately?
Costacurta: I’m a father. I’m talking about soccer on Sky Sport Italia. I’m playing padel, but now I’m injured. I’m not able to take my situation under control. So I have to do rehab… surgery for my knee.
Sofascore: On a club level, you’ve won everything. Twenty-three major trophies, including five Champions League titles, or as it was once called, the European Cup, and many Scudetti. Now, when you look back at your career, and it’s been 17 or 18 years since you said goodbye to football, how would you rate your career?
Costacurta: I was lucky. I’m lucky. I had a lot of great teammates, 14 of them won the Ballon d’Or. Ten others were close to winning it. A lot of great coaches, great fun, great stadiums. I was lucky. Still lucky, because I have a great wife, great son. Yeah, I’m a very lucky man.
From Ballon d’Or Teammates to Career-Defining Defeats
Sofascore: But I suppose, among all the triumphs and celebrations and fame, there were also some tough moments, right? Tough defeats, injuries…
Costacurta: Yes, there were tough times. But if you are an international player, you know, you have to take defeat the same way you take winning. You have to approach both with a bit of distance. You can’t be too happy when you win, and in the same way, when you lose a final, you can’t let it destroy you.
Sofascore: That’s exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. I suppose when people interview you, they start with all the great successes. But I’ve decided to go the other way around.
Costacurta: Okay, yeah.
1994 World Cup Final: A Tough Moment That Taught Resilience
Sofascore: I want to start with one of the toughest moments of your career: the 1994 World Cup final, when you and Italy were defeated on penalties by Brazil. Was that one of the hardest parts of your career? And how did you get through it? Because I believe the younger generation watching us can learn a lot from a legend like you.
Costacurta: You know, it wasn’t so terrible. Things like that can happen during a career. When you win, it’s incredible, but you have to stay calm. One day you’re a loser, the next day you’re a great player. Keeping the right distance emotionally is the key to staying calm throughout your career.
Sofascore: But you got two yellow cards during that tournament and didn’t play in that final. Did that make it even harder?
Costacurta: You don’t remember it the same way. It was the same in the 1994 Champions League final, just one month before. I’m a record man when it comes to yellow cards. I got one against Bulgaria, Stoichkov. But it’s not something that stays close to me. Every match, we fought hard. You don’t think “if I get a yellow, I’ll miss the final.” You stay focused on the match at hand. If you lose the final, it happens. You give 100% for your team. Yes, a red is another thing. But a yellow, just a yellow – no. For me, it’s all right.
Sofascore: We’ve actually prepared some graphics from Sofascore to show our audience just how great your form was during the 1994 World Cup. You were dribbled past only twice in the entire tournament – 0.3 times per game. And if we slide to the next, we can see that your great friend and one of your most famous teammates, Paolo Maldini, was dribbled past on four occasions – 0.6 per game.
Costacurta: But he changed roles, right? From the left to the center.
Sofascore: Yes, exactly. So, did it ever cross your mind: “If I, Alessandro Costacurta, had played in that final, Italy would’ve won”?
Costacurta: The match from Franco Baresi, for me, was the best performance I’ve ever seen with my own eyes. It was incredible, especially because he came back from injury. I’ve had a lot of incredible teammates, phenomenal ones, but something like Franco in that final… It was amazing. For me, the best performance ever. So, with Bebeto and Romario, I think maybe it could’ve still been 1–0 for Brazil.
Brilliance, Pain, and the Pressure of a Penalty
Sofascore: Still, those are some great stats. But of course, when we talk about World Cup ’94, we can’t avoid talking about the great Roberto Baggio. He played tremendously throughout the whole tournament, probably the best player of that World Cup, but most people, especially the younger ones, remember the penalty miss. How was he that day? Can you give us some insight into how he was emotionally?
Costacurta: Roberto, in 1993, won the Ballon d’Or. But during the World Cup, he took some criticism from journalists, from Arrigo Sacchi… they weren’t that close. So, after the penalty, he was devastated. And before the final, he had a slight injury. He tried to improve his shape, but he wasn’t perfect. For me, that’s one of the reasons we didn’t win. With a fully fit Roberto Baggio, I think something could’ve changed.
Sofascore: Yeah, you would’ve won.
Costacurta: Yes. But that’s part of our careers. With some emotional distance, you can look at it differently.
Sofascore: That same year, just a month before the World Cup final, you also missed the Champions League final because of suspension. It was a fantastic 4-0 win over Barcelona. When you think back, that final went much better than the World Cup final. One of the best Milan matches ever, right?
Costacurta: Ever. If you ask any Milan fan. But for me, it was easier. With Milan, reaching the Champions League final was something we were used to. So, to lose one wasn’t so terrible. With the national team, it was different.
4–0 Against Cruyff’s Barcelona: The Night Nobody Expected
Sofascore: You played in five European Cup or Champions League finals in just seven years. That’s amazing. But we’ll talk more about that later. For now, let me ask – on one side in that 1994 final, there were players like Romário, Stoichkov, Koeman, young Pep Guardiola, and Johan Cruyff on the bench. Nobody expected Milan to win, especially 4-0.
Costacurta: Yes, but we always believed we were better than them. Even without Costacurta and Baresi, the whole team believed we could do it.
Sofascore: You won five Champions League titles. Is there one that stands out for you? One title that means more than the others?
Costacurta: The first one. The first one was special. So many AC Milan fans went to Barcelona. At that time, the Romanian team Steaua Bucharest was also there, this was just two or three months after Ceaușescu was killed. All the fans, all in the same city, all in the same stadium. That emotion, as a player, it was the best.
Sofascore: Thank you for now. Obviously, we’ve got many more historical matches and memories to go through, but let’s kick off our first official section of the interview now.
Costacurta: Okay.
Sofascore Player Ratings: Costacurta Judges Himself
Sofascore: We’ve prepared 12 football categories, and we’d like you to rate yourself in each one. It’s our standard Sofascore rating, 3 to 10.
Costacurta: Okay.
Sofascore: Let’s start with speed.
Costacurta: Eight. I think eight is fine.
Sofascore: Okay. Later on, we’ll ask you to name the best player in each category as well, but for now, who was the fastest among your Milan teammates?
Costacurta: Maldini. He was the best in a lot of categories, but definitely speed.
Sofascore: Next category is stamina.
Costacurta: Seven point three. Let’s say that.
Sofascore: Best in Milan?
Costacurta: Baresi. I think Baresi.
Sofascore: Now let’s move to technique. You were a very skillful defender.
Costacurta: Six point nine.
Sofascore: No! At least give yourself a seven.
Costacurta: Okay. Start of the career, maybe lower. Later on, seven point five.
Sofascore: For a defender, you were very good with the ball. Who had the best technique?
Costacurta: Marco van Basten. Left, right, header, ball control – everything.
Sofascore: Too bad about his injury…
Costacurta: Yes. I remember the first day Zvonimir Boban came to Milan. At the end of training, every ball Boban crossed to Van Basten was a goal. He scored with every touch. One of my best training sessions ever. Every single cross – goal. Crazy.
Sofascore: Are you still in touch?
Costacurta: Yes, I spoke with Boban a week ago. He still remembers that day.
Sofascore: Okay, let’s move on to vision.
Costacurta: Nine, one of my best skills. I could open up the game, distribute well.
Sofascore: And your best teammate in that area?
Costacurta: Me!
Sofascore: Long passing?
Costacurta: By the end of my career, 7.7. And the best one of my teammates was Pirlo. You agree?
Sofascore: Yes, but also Seedorf, Boban, you had great teammates so it is difficult to choose, but I would also say – Pirlo was a maestro.
Costacurta: Yes, for sure.
Sofascore: Next category – tackling.
Costacurta: Eight.
Sofascore: Best tackler from your teammates?
Costacurta: Maldini or Baresi.
Sofascore: You’re being modest with your eight…
Costacurta: It depends on the match!
Sofascore: Positioning – something where your intelligence really came through.
Costacurta: 8.5
Sofascore: Best at positioning?
Costacurta: Baresi.
Sofascore: Now, aerial challenges – an important one for defenders.
Costacurta: I wasn’t great. 7.5
Sofascore: Best in the air?
Costacurta: Nesta. He was fantastic in aerial duels.
Sofascore: Let’s go to crossing. You sometimes played right-back. You started in that position in the Champions League final against Juventus.
Costacurta: Yes, and I won the title playing left-back the next year. Crossing – seven.
Sofascore: Best crosser?
Costacurta: Cafu. One of the best ever. Maybe even the best. Also Zambrotta.
Sofascore: Now we get to finishing.
Costacurta: As a defender? Six. Maybe six point five. I scored five goals, some spectacular.
Sofascore: Yes, you had a goal from outside the box against Roma…
Costacurta: Yes. Maybe better than the one against Juventus!
Sofascore: Best finisher?
Costacurta: Shevchenko, Van Basten, Inzaghi, Weah, Crespo. Fantastic. Also Kaká- he could find the angle with ease.
Sofascore: Let’s go to the next category: shot power.
Costacurta: Six. Maybe six point four. Let’s go back a little bit on that one!
Sofascore: And the best shot power?
Costacurta: Seedorf. Also Savicevic had great power. But Clarence… he was terrific.
Sofascore: And the final category: shot precision.
Costacurta: Seven. During training, I wasn’t bad!
Sofascore: And best teammate for shot precision?
Costacurta: Kaká. Also Boban. Hard to pick just one – so many great scorers.
Sofascore: Okay, based on your ratings, your average Sofascore Rating comes out to…
Costacurta: 7.55
Sofascore: Are you satisfied with that?
Costacurta: That’s why I always dreamed of hitting 8.0.
Sofascore: For reference – our previous guests: Lukas Podolski scored 8.53. Fabrizio Romano had 7.67.
Costacurta: I’m the worst, then!
Sofascore: Should we go again?
Costacurta: No, it’s good. Let’s keep it.
Category Kings: The Greatest Players Ever, According to Costacurta
Sofascore: Now we’re flipping it. I’ll say the category, and you name the best player ever in your opinion for that quality.
Costacurta: Okay.
Sofascore: Speed?
Costacurta: Mbappe. Or Ronaldo Fenômeno. Terrific. I always saw him with his back to me – running away.
Sofascore: We’ll talk more about him later. Next up – stamina.
Costacurta: Gattuso. Never stopped running. Even after the match, he’d run back to the locker room!
Sofascore: Technique?
Costacurta: Maradona. Always nervous playing against him. Not just me, Baresi, Maldini too. He was the best.
Sofascore: What was it like playing against him?
Costacurta: Emotional. I always said, “Sorry, Diego,” after fouling him. He’d say, “Don’t worry. Go, go.” A true gentleman.
Sofascore: Next – vision.
Costacurta: Messi. But also Van Basten. Both had amazing vision.
Sofascore: Long passing?
Costacurta: Koeman. Or maybe Matthäus. Let’s educate the young ones!
Sofascore: Tackling?
Costacurta: Maldini. Best defender in football history. Perfect timing.
Sofascore: Positioning?
Costacurta: Gérard. As a midfielder, he was always in the right spot. As a defender – me! And Gérard.
Sofascore: Aerial challenges?
Costacurta: Gullit. Also Riedle. And Ferrara, Cannavaro – he wasn’t tall, but incredible at timing.
Sofascore: Crossing?
Costacurta: Roberto Carlos.
Sofascore: Finishing?
Costacurta: Cristiano Ronaldo.
Sofascore: Shot power?
Costacurta: Gullit.
Sofascore: And shot precision?
Costacurta: Messi. Better than Maradona, better than Cristiano in this quality.
Sofascore: Is Messi the best player ever?
Costacurta: I don’t know. Maybe Maradona, just a little better. Cristiano is also in the mix. But for me, the best is still Maradona.
Sofascore: We left out one category, dribbling. Just didn’t want to give you a low grade. Who was the best ever?
Costacurta: Maradona and Messi. In Milan – Kaká.
Sofascore: If you could choose one current defender to play in your Milan team, who would it be?
Costacurta: Van Dijk. He’s the best defender today.
Quiz Time: Paolo, Batistuta, Ancelotti, and the Stories Behind the Stats
Sofascore: So, Mr. Costacurta, here we are with a quiz. It’s about you, your career, your teammates, and even some opponents. For each question, you’ll get three clues. The first one’s tough, the second’s easier, and the third one, if you still need it, should give it away. Ready?
Costacurta: Okay.
Sofascore: The first question: your last career game was against Udinese. The player we’re looking for also played against Udinese, but in his first career game. Can you guess?
Costacurta: No… no, not yet.
Sofascore: Clue two: You two played 550 matches together. That’s 44,680 minutes. Basically, a full month non-stop on the pitch.
Costacurta: The best one – Paolo Maldini.
Sofascore: Correct. Tell us a bit about your connection and friendship with him. We already know how amazing he was as a player, but what was Paolo like as a person?
Costacurta: Terrific guy. Always focused – on the pitch, and off. Family first. Always doing things the right way. I’ve never met anyone like him. He was the best person I met in my life.
Sofascore: If you look at the screen, you’ll see what Paolo said about you:
“Costacurta was more than just a teammate, he was a leader. His leadership was quiet but firm. His composure in difficult moments helped me relax. We completed each other on the pitch.”
Costacurta: That’s nice to hear.
Sofascore: He said you never lost your head.
Costacurta: No, no, no. That’s not true. I lost my head many times, Paolo never did. He never fought with a teammate. I did.
Sofascore: Even after defeats? Like the 2005 Champions League final against Liverpool, when Milan lost after leading 3–0?
Costacurta: I remember what he said: “Don’t worry. Next time we’ll meet Liverpool again, and beat them.” And we did. Not the next year, but two years later. He said, “I told you so.”
Sofascore: Let’s go back to that 2005 final for a moment. It’s been nearly 20 years. What happened that night?
Costacurta: We don’t know. Something happened, maybe something went wrong in the dressing room at halftime. Carlo Ancelotti warned us: “Be careful in the first minute of the second half.” But then… we don’t know. There’s no real explanation. Liverpool had quality. But something went wrong with us.
Sofascore: Let’s move on. Second quiz question. Against one of these players, you played seven times, won only once. He won twice and scored three goals against you. Against the other, you played 13 times, you won six, he won five, and he scored six goals against your team. Who are these two players?
Costacurta: The first one, could be Ronaldo?
Sofascore: Yes! Ronaldo is one. Need more clues for the second?
Costacurta: Yes, please.
Sofascore: Clue two: You played against both in the Derby della Madonnina. One wore jersey number 9, the other number 19.
Costacurta: Hmm… Adriano?
Sofascore: No. Final clue: You played with both in a match where Europe’s best played against the World’s best. Both scored two goals.
Costacurta: Batistuta!
Sofascore: Correct. What was it like playing against him?
Costacurta: He had so much quality. Fast, strong, technical, great at tackling too. Scored amazing goals. Capello once said Batistuta was a better pure scorer than Ronaldo Fenômeno. I agree.
Sofascore: Let’s go to the third person we’re looking for. He won 13 major trophies as a player. One of them was a Scudetto with Roma. Any guesses?
Costacurta: Hmm… no, not yet.
Sofascore: Second clue: He later played with you at Milan. You two appeared in 94 matches together. Among midfielders, he ranks 7th in number of games you played with.
Costacurta: Ah, Carlo Ancelotti!
Sofascore: Correct. You still think of him as a coach, right?
Costacurta: Yes, I forgot he was my teammate! Sorry, Carlo.
Sofascore: He’s the record-holder for five Champions League titles as a coach. Only manager to win all five big European leagues. But how was he as a teammate?
Costacurta: Very funny. Always joking, Carlo was the joker. Always lightened the mood. A perfect teammate.
Sofascore: And when he became your coach?
Costacurta: Still funny. But the role changes you. You have to be different. He had great empathy with the players. That’s why he won 31 major trophies. Five Champions Leagues. Crazy.
Sofascore: How did it feel when your longtime teammate became your coach?
Costacurta: We always called him “Carlo.” It felt strange at first. We didn’t say “Mister.” But he knew we could help him with the group. Me and Paolo, we were close to him. When he got angry, it was different with us.
Sofascore: What’s his secret?
Costacurta: He understands players perfectly. He knows what they want.
The Secret Behind Milan’s Legendary Back Four
Sofascore: Let’s talk about that Dutch trio: Van Basten, Rijkaard, Gullit. How good were they?
Costacurta: Terrific. Physically dominant. Technically brilliant. All three were strong, skilled, smart. And close friends, always had dinner together.
Sofascore: And of course, we must talk about the legendary Milan back line: Tassotti, Baresi, Costacurta, Maldini. Maybe the best ever? One season you conceded only 15 goals in the whole Serie A season, you had 22 clean sheets. How is that even possible?
Costacurta: Training. Always training. Don’t forget, Van Basten was our first defender. He pressed like a machine. The whole team defended. But the back four had real chemistry. We all grew up in the same academy. We knew each other’s weaknesses. Baresi knew I was aggressive, he always covered for me.
Sofascore: So that connection was built over time?
Costacurta: Yes. Every training session we’d spend an hour just on defensive movements. Every single session. That’s why people say we were the best back line in history. Maybe we were.
Locker Room Roles: Jokesters, Party Animals, and Worst Dressers
Sofascore: Okay, Mr. Costacurta, now we’ve got our board, probably one of the most fun parts of the interview. Here are some descriptions, and you’ll link them to the right people. You don’t know which names are coming!
Costacurta: Okay, let’s go.
Sofascore: First person – Pippo Inzaghi. Pick something for him.
Costacurta: Worst taste in music.
Sofascore: What kind of music did he like?
Costacurta: Italian. Old stuff. Always the same songs.
Sofascore: Next one?
Costacurta: Jokester. Definitely. After dinner, during retreats, always made people laugh.
Sofascore: Did people ever get mad at him?
Costacurta: No. But – sore loser. Hated to lose. Even at cards. Maybe that’s why he was such a champion.
Sofascore: Something else for Pippo?
Costacurta: No need. Those are enough!
Sofascore: Next up – Kaká.
Costacurta: Nutmeg master. All the Brazilian guys.
Sofascore: He always seemed like a Chilled guy to me.
Costacurta: Yes, he could be.
Sofascore: Something else?
Costacurta: Best hairstyle! Always perfect.
Sofascore: Now – Roberto Baggio.
Costacurta: Candy lover. He always had sweets.
Sofascore: Anything else?
Costacurta: Never satisfied – but in a good way. And the best singer.
Sofascore: Really?
Costacurta: Yes, him and Ancelotti, the best I’ve met. Good voice. Known in Italy for singing.
Sofascore: And a captain?
Costacurta: Yes. For Juventus, he was a great captain.
Sofascore: Last one – Andriy Shevchenko
Costacurta: Worst dresser. But only for the first month! Then he met Armani…
Sofascore: So – he evolved?
Costacurta: Yes. After that, top dresser. And also – braveheart. And Trained constantly, 24/7, always worked hard.
Sofascore: Anything else?
Costacurta: During the first year – gossip king! He was a quiet guy, but in the center of attention with girls. A lot of girls wanted to know him!
Sofascore: Who was the strict one?
Costacurta: Me.
Sofascore: Party animal?
Costacurta: Gattuso. He could run… and party just as hard.
Sofascore: Future coach?
Costacurta: Carlo Ancelotti.
Sofascore: Tell me about this one – Loves free kicks. It means that he likes to think that he is good at that, but in reality not so much.
Costacurta: Clarence Seedorf! The worst! Incredible in everything – but penalties and free kicks, he was terrible.
Sofascore: Maybe now Seedorf calls us and says: ‘’Call me for the interview and put me Costacurta on the board!’’
Costacurta: But really. He always thought that he was better. But he really wasn’t
Sofascore: Perfume lover?
Costacurta: Marco Borriello.
Sofascore: Best dresser?
Costacurta: Billy (me), but also Zvonimir Boban! After two years became a really good dressed guy.
Sofascore: Always sleepy?
Costacurta: Frank Rijkaard. Always.
A Penalty Farewell: The Emotional End of a Legendary Career
Sofascore: Now let’s talk about your last professional match. You played against Udinese, scored from the penalty spot, and after the match, all your teammates came onto the pitch wearing your jersey. How special was that?
Costacurta: The best day of my professional life. All of it was a surprise. I didn’t know about the penalty.
Sofascore: Who told you to take it?
Costacurta: Carlo. He said, “Alessandro, you take it.” I wasn’t nervous, I was used to penalties. But it felt strange. A bit sad now when I watch the video. But that day, it was beautiful. All the fans, all the players… unforgettable.
Sofascore: And what does AC Milan mean to you? But you can’t use the word love.
Costacurta: During that era, Milan was the best team in the world. The city was one of the best in the world. My teammates – the best in the world. For me – everything!
Modern Milan: What the Club Has—and What It’s Missing
Sofascore: Today, Milan is far from that level. What’s your take?
Costacurta: They lost something big when they lost Paolo Maldini in management. That was too much to lose.
Sofascore: What do you think of Ibrahimović’s new role at the club?
Costacurta: He’s growing. I don’t know him well personally. He might be a good guy. But Maldini’s first mistake – choosing Marco Giampaolo as coach – he learned from that. Zlatan might learn too.
Inter in Control, Lautaro at the Top: Costacurta’s Take on Serie A 2024/25
Sofascore: Let’s talk about this current Serie A season. It seems like Inter and Napoli are the only two teams truly fighting for the Scudetto, while maybe six or seven others, including Milan, are battling for the remaining Champions League spots. How do you see it all ending?
Costacurta: For me, Inter is the best team in Italy. If they don’t go too far in the Champions League. But even in Europe, they can go far. Inter is the favorite.
Sofascore: And when we talk about this Serie A season, we also have our Sofascore Player of the Season award. Here are the current top five:
- Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio)
- Marcus Thuram (Inter)
- Vanja Milinković-Savić (Torino, goalkeeper)
- Federico Dimarco (Inter)
- Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
Who do you think has been the best, and who could win?
Costacurta: The best player in Italy right now is Lautaro Martínez. There are only two players in Serie A who could play in the best teams in Europe: Lautaro and Barella.
Sofascore: And who could win our award?
Costacurta: For me Thuram. He could win your award.
Costacurta’s Pick for the Next Guest and a Half
Sofascore: And now, to wrap it up, the last section. We always end with this. If you could nominate someone to take your seat in the next A Guest and a Half interview, who would it be?
Costacurta: Pippo Inzaghi.
Sofascore: Could you help connect us?
Costacurta: Sure. He’s funny, great in interviews, full of memories. Maldini and Pippo Inzaghi are players with a lot of memories.
Sofascore: Would they enjoy this kind of interview?
Costacurta: Pippo would love this format. I will help you get to them.
Sofascore: You’re officially recommending us?
Costacurta: Yes.
Sofascore: Signore Costacurta, it was truly a pleasure. Thank you once again for your time. We wish you all the best.
Costacurta: Grazie. Thanks. Thanks a lot.