[Costacurta]

I'd like to wish my all-time favourite player, Alessandro Costacurta, a very happy 40th Birthday. What a great to have been one of the essential ingridients of the greatest defence in club football ever witnessed, and still to be playing top-level European football at 40, and for another year to come.

An unfailing servant of the Rossoneri! Long may it continue.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/king.gif)

[misha]

Costacurta: Grazie Milan!

Alessandro ‘Billy’ Costacurta has thanked the club and fans for his emotional farewell game at San Siro.

“It’s a wonderful day and I am very grateful to everyone for this celebration. I have to thank the club, my teammates and my family,” said the 41-year-old defender.

His career with the Rossoneri lasted 27 years right from the youth system and will continue, as he is to become an assistant manager to Carlo Ancelotti along with current right-hand man Mauro Tassotti.

“I’ve always thought you have to dedicate yourself fully to a job and so in my new work I won’t have time to think about my playing days,” he added.

“About two weeks ago I was told that Carlo wanted me to stay with him in the Coaching staff. It was very pleasing and I am happy to take on this new role.

“There were many different options open to me after retirement, but my priority was to remain at Milan.”

Costacurta scored a goal in his final match, converting a penalty in the 3-2 home defeat to Udinese, as Milan fielded a reserve team ahead of the Champions League Final with Liverpool.

After the final whistle all the players – including those in the stands – came down on to the field wearing Costacurta’s Number 5 jersey.

They also gave the veteran ‘The Bumps’ in the centre circle and he did a lap of honour saluting the fans.

The legend made his Serie A debut for the side in a 1-0 win at Verona on October 25, 1987 and won a total of 23 trophies with the club.

He has notched up seven Scudetti, four European Cups, two Intercontinental Cups, four European Super Cups, five Italian Super Cups and the Coppa Italia.