Manuel Rui Costa Returns to Florence for Fiorentina's 100th Anniversary Legends Match
Manuel Rui Costa made a heartfelt return to Florence after a quarter-century away to take part in Fiorentina's centenary legends match held at Stadio Artemio Franchi on 2 September 2026. Now serving as the president of Benfica, the Portuguese icon joined the Fiorentina All-Stars in a lively 7-3 win against Operazione Nostalgia, thrilling the 20,000 fans in attendance.
The celebration brought together some of the club’s most celebrated figures, such as Gabriel Batistuta, Roberto Baggio, and Franck Ribery. Among these, Rui Costa's appearance was one of the event's most eagerly awaited moments.
A Deep Bond with Florence and Fiorentina
Rui Costa revealed that his visit was motivated by personal ties rather than just fan service. He said, "I didn't come here just to please people, but for myself. I spent the seven most beautiful years of my life in Florence, and I really wanted to relive those emotions tonight."
He also voiced a wish for the club’s future success: "Winning a trophy as captain here [Coppa Italia 2001] was the greatest pride of my career. Honestly, I don’t like the fact that I am the last captain to deliver a trophy to this club. Florence and Fiorentina deserve to taste victory again."
Franck Ribery Rekindles His Love for Fiorentina
Franck Ribery expressed joy at wearing the purple jersey once more, playing alongside former teammate Luca Toni. Ribery exclaimed, "Look at all these fans! This is truly incredible! When we get back on the pitch and touch the ball again like in the past, my great passion for football immediately ignites."
He added gratitude for the enthusiastic turnout: "A huge thank you to the fans and everyone present."
A Celebration of History and Hope for the Future
The legends match wrapped up a week of festivities honoring Fiorentina's rich heritage, which included a torchlight procession by Curva Fiesole supporters and illuminating city landmarks in purple.
While the current first team faces early challenges in Serie A, these events served as a reminder of the club’s proud past. Rui Costa and other returning stars left Florence hoping the new generation will soon bring more trophies home.
- Match: Fiorentina Legends 7-3 Operazione Nostalgia
- Date: 2 September 2026
- Location: Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence
- Notable attendees: Manuel Rui Costa, Gabriel Batistuta, Roberto Baggio, Franck Ribery, Luca Toni
- Upcoming Serie A fixture: Fiorentina vs Torino
- Date: 5 September 2026, 15:00
