Manuel Rui Costa Returns to Florence for Fiorentina's 100th Anniversary Match
After a quarter-century, Manuel Rui Costa made an emotional return to Florence to take part in Fiorentina's 100th-anniversary legends match. The event took place on 2 September 2026 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, where Rui Costa joined the Fiorentina All-Stars in a lively 7-3 win against Operazione Nostalgia.
The Portuguese icon, now serving as president of Benfica, reflected on his memorable time with La Viola and expressed hope that the club will soon break its long trophy drought.
A Celebration Filled with Club Legends
The centenary match brought together many celebrated figures from Fiorentina's history, including names like Gabriel Batistuta, Roberto Baggio, and Franck Ribery. For the 20,000 fans present, Rui Costa's appearance was one of the most anticipated moments of the week-long festivities.
Rui Costa's Emotional Connection and Wish for Success
"I didn’t come here just to please people, but for myself," Rui Costa shared. "I spent the seven most beautiful years of my life in Florence, and I really wanted to relive those emotions tonight."He also recalled leading the team as captain to Coppa Italia glory in 2001, describing it as the proudest moment of his 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 joined the celebration by playing alongside former teammate Luca Toni in attack. He was thrilled by the passionate crowd and the chance to wear the purple jersey again.
"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," Ribery said.He thanked everyone who attended, appreciating the strong turnout for the club’s milestone event.
Honoring Fiorentina’s Past and Looking Ahead
The legends match wrapped up a week full of events across Florence, including a torchlight procession by Curva Fiesole supporters and purple light displays on historic landmarks. While the current Serie A squad faces early challenges this season, the centenary celebrations served as a reminder of Fiorentina’s rich legacy.
As Rui Costa and other returning stars left Florence, they carried a shared hope that the club’s current generation will soon add new trophies to their history.
- Match Date: 2 September 2026
- Event: Fiorentina 7-3 Operazione Nostalgia (Centenary Legends Match)
- Venue: Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence
- Notable Participants: Manuel Rui Costa, Gabriel Batistuta, Roberto Baggio, Franck Ribery, Luca Toni
- Current Serie A Fixture: Fiorentina vs Torino, 5 September 2026, 15:00
