Kiko Costa still remembers the sting of those tough losses. Falling short with Nantes in the Champions League and with Portugal in the World Championship – both were brutal in their own way. “I’m not sure which one was harder to swallow,” he admits. “Maybe the one against France, since we were so close to a medal.”
At just 20 years old, Costa has already experienced his share of big games. But those two defeats still linger. “They’re probably the toughest losses I’ve had in my career so far,” he says. “We were so close to a medal, and it slipped through our fingers.” Costa’s thoughts drift back to the World Championship, where Portugal’s run ended just shy of the final four. “We were right there, but it didn’t happen. All we needed was one more goal…”
Lessons from the World Championship
The World Championship was a defining moment for Costa and the Portuguese team. Despite the disappointment, it brought a newfound confidence and sense of belonging among the sport’s elite. “We’re no longer the underdogs,” Costa says matter-of-factly. “We’ve got a target on our backs now.” The experience also taught him the value of perseverance and the importance of staying focused under pressure.
As he looks back on the tournament, Costa’s mind wanders to the teams they faced. “Dinamarca was incredible to watch,” he recalls. “Their level of play is just insane. They can switch from defense to offense in three seconds – it’s unbelievable.” Costa believes that facing such top-tier teams will only make Portugal stronger in the long run.
Shaping the future
Costa’s personal highlight from the World Championship was being named the Best Young Player. While he would have traded it for a bronze medal, the recognition still means a lot to him. “It gives me the strength to keep working towards my goal of becoming the best player in the world,” he says with a smile. It’s an ambition he’s harbored since he was 15, and one that drives him every day.
The fact that his brother, Martim, is also pushing for the same goal only adds fuel to the fire. “It’s more fun this way,” Costa says, grinning. “We’re always competing, even in training. He hates losing, and so do I. It’s a good kind of pressure.” As for who’s more competitive, Costa jokes that it’s his brother – “He gets really upset when he loses!”
For now, Costa’s focus is on the next challenge: the European Championship. “Los Angeles and the Olympics are a big objective for us,” he says, “but we need to take it one step at a time. We have to keep working, get good results in the Euros and the Worlds, and then we can start thinking about the Olympics.” With the 2028 European Championship set to take place in Portugal, Costa sees it as a chance for the team to make a statement and set themselves up for a strong Olympic run. “If we can fill the MEO Arena and get a good result, it could be a huge opportunity for us to affirm ourselves and make a real push for the Olympics.”