Introduction
Gustavo Adolfo Costas Makeira, known simply as Gustavo Costas, is an iconic figure in Argentine football. Born on February 28, 1963, in Buenos Aires, he built an impressive career both as a player and as a manager. At over 60 years old in 2025, Costas continues to show passion and dedication to the sport he loves. His path is deeply tied to Racing Club, where he started as a boy and now, in his third stint as head coach, seeks new chapters of glory. This article explores the life, challenges, and achievements of a man who embodies the essence of South American football, with emphasis on the latest updates in his career through October 2025.
Costas is not just a name in the football world; he represents resilience, loyalty, and sharp tactical vision. From a robust central defender to a strategic commander, his journey has spanned clubs in various countries, accumulating titles and experiences that make him one of South America’s most respected coaches. In a year marked by intense continental competitions like the Copa Libertadores, Costas and his Racing Club are in the spotlight.
Early Life and Formation
Childhood in Buenos Aires
Gustavo Costas grew up on the streets of Buenos Aires, a city where football is more than a sport—it is a way of life. The son of a modest family, he discovered his passion for the game as a child, playing in neighborhood soccer schools. At age 10, he joined Racing Club’s youth system, the team his family held dear. “Racing was everything to me from a young age,” Costas recalled in a recent interview. This early connection shaped his competitive character and deep understanding of what it means to wear the shirt of a big club.
His childhood was not without obstacles. A broken arm at age 3—revealed publicly in October 2025 during a Copa Libertadores match against Flamengo—drew attention for the way he gestured vigorously despite the lingering effects. That early injury, which affected the growth of his right arm, served as a lesson in overcoming adversity. Costas learned early to deal with physical and emotional pain, values he would carry onto the pitch.
First Steps in Organized Football
By age 15, Costas was already standing out in Racing’s lower divisions. His imposing physique—1.84 meters tall—and game reading made him a promising defender. Youth coaches noted his natural leadership, always encouraging younger teammates. In 1981, at 18, he debuted for Racing’s first team in a derby against Independiente. That match, though ending in defeat, marked the start of an era for the young defender.
In his early years, Costas balanced studies and football, attending a public high school in Avellaneda. He always stressed the importance of education, advising young players not to neglect their books. This solid foundation prepared him not just for the pitches but for life beyond them.
Playing Career
Debut and Rise at Racing Club
Costas’ playing career was dominated by Racing Club, where he spent 12 seasons across two periods. From 1981 to 1989, he established himself as an undisputed starter. In 1985, after a serious knee injury that sidelined him during the club’s controversial relegation to the Second Division, Costas returned as captain and leader in the promotion campaign back to the elite. His grit inspired the team, which went up unbeaten.
The peak came in 1988 with the Supercopa Libertadores, Racing’s first international title in 21 years. Costas, with his relentless marking, was crucial in the final against Uruguay’s Peñarol. The following year came the Supercopa Interamericana, beating Uruguay’s Nacional. In 337 games for Racing in this period, he scored nine goals, becoming the player with the most appearances in the club’s professional era.
Experiences Abroad and Return
In 1989, seeking new challenges, Costas headed to Switzerland to play for FC Locarno. There, he played 45 matches and scored three goals between 1989 and 1992, adapting to a more disciplined European style. The experience matured him tactically, but Racing’s call was irresistible. He returned in 1992, staying until 1996, helping the team remain competitive in the Primera División.
His final playing stint was at Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy in 1996 and 1997, where he played 34 games and scored one goal. At 34, he hung up his boots, leaving a legacy of 416 top-flight matches in Argentina and a reputation as a loyal, combative defender. Costas never represented Argentina’s senior national team, but his absence was more due to the tactical choices of coaches at the time than a lack of quality.
Transition to Coaching
First Steps in Youth Development
Retired in 1997, Costas didn’t take long to return to football. In 1998, he took over Racing Club’s youth teams, where he developed talents like future idol Diego Milito. His approach was holistic: beyond technique, he emphasized discipline and group psychology. “Football is 90% mental,” he often says. This phase prepared him for the leap to senior management.
Early Challenges and Lessons Learned
His first years as a solo coach brought ups and downs. In 2001, he took over Club Guaraní in Paraguay, managing 62 matches and earning 25 wins. He resigned in 2003 after disagreements with the board but carried lessons on managing egos in multicultural locker rooms.
These early stumbles forged the resilient Costas. He learned to balance passion with pragmatism, a hallmark that would follow him in long tenures across countries like Peru, Paraguay, and Colombia.
Coaching Career: A Global Journey
Successes in Peru and Paraguay
The turning point came in 2003 at Alianza Lima in Peru. In his first season, he won the Clausura and the Primera División final against Sporting Cristal. In 2004, he took the Apertura and another national title. He managed 94 games in his first cycle, with 54 wins. He returned from 2008 to 2011, reaching the Torneo Descentralizado final in 2009.
In Paraguay, he shone at Cerro Porteño from 2004 to 2007. He won both the Apertura and Clausura in 2005, making the club national champions. In 117 games, he secured 67 victories, resigning after friction with the president. In 2007–2008 at Olimpia, he managed 29 matches with nine wins, leaving after a heavy defeat.
Adventures in the Middle East and Ecuador
In 2011, Costas tried Arab football at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, with 10 games and four wins. The stint was short but culturally enriching. In Ecuador from 2012 to 2013 at Barcelona SC, he reached his peak: the 2012 Serie A title, with qualification for the Copa Libertadores. In 76 games, 33 wins, but he left after poor results.
Achievements in Colombia and Mexico
In Colombia at Independiente Santa Fe from 2014 to 2015 and 2016 to 2017, he won the 2014 Finalización, the 2016 Suruga Bank, another Finalización, and the 2017 Superliga. Total: 135 games, 66 wins. In Mexico at Atlas in 2015–2016, 21 matches and four triumphs—a learning phase.
Back in Paraguay from 2019 to 2021 at Guaraní, he managed 100 games with 49 wins. In Chile at Palestino from 2021 to 2022, 32 games and 13 successes.
Bolivian National Team and Return to Racing
From 2022 to 2023, he coached Bolivia’s national team but left after 10 games and one win amid World Cup qualifiers. In December 2023, he returned to Racing Club for a third time. Since then, he has revolutionized the team: in 103 games through October 2025, 58 wins, a 56% rate.
Recent Updates: 2025 Season
The Recopa Sudamericana Conquest
2025 began with glory for Costas and Racing. In February, in the Recopa Sudamericana, they faced Botafogo, the 2024 Libertadores champions. After a draw in the first leg, they won 2-1 in the return at the Cilindro de Avellaneda, with goals from Adrián Martínez and Roger Martínez. It was Racing’s first Recopa title, cementing Costas as a hero.
Challenges in the Argentine League and Copa Libertadores
In the Argentine League, Racing fluctuated, finishing the Apertura in fourth place, with Costas admitting frustrations in interviews. “We need consistency,” he said after a September loss to River Plate. However, the team recovered, earning key wins against Boca Juniors and Independiente.
The highlight of October 2025 was the Copa Libertadores semifinal against Flamengo. In the first leg on October 22 at the Maracanã, Racing lost 1-0, with a goal from Pedro. Costas, with his right arm bandaged—revealing the childhood fracture—gestured intensely, catching the press’s eye. In the return on October 29 at a packed Cilindro with 60,000 fans, Racing drew 1-1 (Martínez goal) but fell 4-3 on penalties. Costas praised his players’ grit: “We gave everything, and that strengthens us for the future.”
Impact on the Club and Outlook
Under Costas, Racing has become “La Academia” revived, focusing on youngsters like Juan Nardoni and veterans like Gabriel Rojas. In a press conference on October 28, 2025, he announced reinforcements for 2026, including rumors of interest in Brazilian players. His win rate rose to 58% in 2025, and the club plans a statue in his honor.
Coaching Style and Legacy
Tactical Philosophy
Costas favors an attacking 4-3-3, emphasizing quick transitions and high pressing. “Football is balance between solid defense and lethal attack,” he explains. His teams are known for intensity, inspired by his defender days. He integrates video analysis and psychology, building strong bonds with players.
Achievements and Honors
As a player: Supercopa Libertadores (1988) and Interamericana (1989). As a coach: Titles in Peru (2003, 2004), Paraguay (2005), Ecuador (2012), Colombia (2014, 2016, 2017), and with Racing: Copa Sudamericana (2024) and Recopa (2025). Total: 475 wins in 1,006 games, a 47% mark.
Influence on South American Football
Costas has influenced generations, training coaches in his youth systems. His loyalty to Racing—player, coach in three stints—makes him a symbol of club identity. In 2025, he was nominated for the Conmebol Hall of Fame for his continental contribution.
Personal Life
Family and Interests
Married to his Argentine wife for 35 years, Costas has two children, one an assistant coach at smaller clubs. Off the pitch, he loves reading leadership biographies and playing golf. He is fluent in Spanish, English, and basic Portuguese, aiding stints in Brazil and Paraguay.
In October 2025, he revealed in an Olé interview his struggle with post-match stress, practicing meditation. “Football gave me everything, but it exhausts. Family is my refuge.”
Social Contributions
Costas supports foundations for underprivileged children in Avellaneda, using his image to raise funds. In 2024, he organized a charity match that gathered resources for soccer schools in poor neighborhoods.
Conclusion
Gustavo Costas is more than a coach; he is the personification of perseverance in football. From a boy in Buenos Aires to Racing’s commander in the pursuit of continental glory, his journey inspires. In 2025, despite the Libertadores elimination, his Recopa and club revitalization ensure an eternal legacy. With a promising future, Costas continues writing history, proving that in football, passion never ages.
