I will not return, says Costa

Lisbon - Veteran Portuguese midfielder Rui Costa (photo above) rejected on Friday overtures from his football federation (FPF) president Gilberto Madail for him to revise his decision on retiring from international football.

The 32-year-old and captain Luis Figo had been invited by Madail to think again about ending their stellar international careers and all but bring down the curtain on the 'golden generation' which won the 1991 world youth championship.

However Costa said that there was no going back on his decision which he announced on the eve of the 1-0 Euro 2004 final defeat by Greece bringing to an end a career which saw him win 94 caps.

"I am very proud of all that I have achieved down the years but that will not persuade me to go back on the decision I have already taken," he said.

Earlier Madail had expressed his hope that Figo and Costa would be seen in a Portuguese shirt again.

"I'm hopeful," said Madail. "When Figo announced a year ago that Euro 2004 could be his last national appearance I always said that I was hopeful that he would go back on his decision. And now I believe it even more.

"As for Rui Costa I'm still hopeful."

Figo, 31, who still has two more years on his contract with Spanish giants Real Madrid, said after the final that he would take time to reflect on his future before deciding whether to add to his 110 caps.

Madail said that the duo "would be missed by the squad. But we have to respect their arguments which are difficult to thwart".

 -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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