PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Logan Costa |
| Date of Birth | 1 April 2001 (Age: 25) |
| Place of Birth | Saint-Denis, France |
| Nationality | Cape Verdean (born in France, represents Cape Verde) |
| Height | 1.89–1.90 m / 6 ft 2 in–6 ft 3 in |
| Position | Centre-Back |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #2 |
| Current Club | Villarreal CF |
| Previous Clubs | Stade de Reims, Toulouse, Le Mans (loan) |
| International Caps | 12+ |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2030 |
| Market Value | €15M–€19.4M |
The Frozen Moment
Atlanta, Georgia. June 15, 2026. Cape Verde—the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup—walked onto the pitch for their tournament debut against Spain. In the centre of the defence stood Logan Costa. The Villarreal centre-back, born in a Paris suburb, had spent nine months on the sidelines with a torn ACL, his World Cup dream hanging by a thread.
Cape Verde held Spain to a historic 0-0 draw. The tournament would see them draw with Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to reach the Round of 16, before falling to Argentina. Costa played every minute of the campaign—360 minutes of World Cup football. For the man who had been told by his club’s medical staff that a World Cup was possible if he pushed through his recovery, it was the ultimate reward. “I never thought negatively,” he said. “Injuries are part of football. I’m young (25 years old) and the only thing I had to do when I got injured in July was to focus on my recovery.”
Origins
Logan Costa was born on 1 April 2001 in Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris, to Cape Verdean parents. His connection to Cape Verde runs deep—his parents were born there, and as a child he spent holidays on the islands.
He began playing football at age six in his neighbourhood before joining Stade de Reims’ academy at 12 or 13. He progressed through Reims’ youth ranks, captaining the reserve side in the Championnat National 2 during the 2019-20 season. In the 2020-21 season, he was loaned to Le Mans in the Championnat National, making 26 appearances and establishing himself as one of the league’s standout players.
Costa was a youth international for France, representing Les Bleus at U16, U17, U19, and U20 levels. He was progressing through the French system when Cape Verde came calling. “When I played for France I didn’t feel anything special,” he admitted. “Just the call from the Cape Verde coach filled me with happiness and pride. My heart knew what it wanted.”
The Professional Forge
Toulouse (2021-2024):
In August 2021, Costa transferred to Toulouse. He made his professional debut on 13 November 2021 in a Coupe de France victory over Libourne. Over three seasons at Toulouse, he made 72 top-five league appearances, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists. He was part of the Toulouse side that won the Coupe de France in the 2022-23 season, having previously won Ligue 2 in 2021-22.
Villarreal (2024-Present):
On 22 August 2024, Costa joined Villarreal on a six-year contract. He made 36 appearances across his first season, scoring two goals and providing one assist. His 2024-25 campaign was disrupted by a complete ACL rupture suffered on 19 July 2025 during a pre-season friendly against Basel. The injury sidelined him for nine months. He made his return on 17 May 2026, coming on in the 77th minute in Villarreal’s 2-0 loss at Rayo Vallecano. He managed only 28 minutes of La Liga action in the 2025-26 season.
The Anatomy of His Game
Costa is a right-footed centre-back defined by his physicality, aerial dominance, and composure on the ball. His 1.90-metre frame makes him an imposing presence at the back. He has cited Sergio Ramos, Thiago Silva, and Raphaël Varane as his inspirations.
In Possession:
Costa is a composed passer who contributes to build-up play. At the World Cup, he recorded an 85% pass accuracy. His 96th percentile for expected assists in La Liga reflects his ability to progress the ball from defence. He has been described as having “calmness when in possession of the ball.”
Out of Possession:
Costa’s defensive contributions are his primary asset. At the World Cup, he recorded 18 clearances, 9 aerial duels won, and 3 successful tackles across 4 matches. His market value of €15–€19.4 million reflects his standing as one of the most valuable defenders in the Cape Verde squad.
Psychological Edge:
Costa’s journey is defined by resilience. His recovery from a nine-month ACL injury to play at the World Cup was a test of mental strength. “I have a lot of faith,” he said. “The World Cup was an incentive… I knew that with Villarreal I would be able to play little. But I wanted to get well by May. And I succeeded.” His decision to choose Cape Verde over France—despite a promising youth career with Les Bleus—demonstrated a commitment to his heritage. “We play for a country, for our parents and grandparents.”
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: 2026 World Cup Snapshot
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Clearances | Aerial Duels Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 4 | 360 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 9 |
TABLE B: 2025/26 Season Snapshot (La Liga)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Pass Completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Liga | 2 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 96.15% |
TABLE C: Career (Top 5 Leagues)
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toulouse | 2021-2024 | 72 | 3 |
| Villarreal | 2024-Present | — | 2 |
| TOTAL | — | 72 | 5 |
TABLE D: International Record
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 4 | 0 | Round of 16 |
| Africa Cup of Nations 2023 | 5 | 0 | Quarter-Final |
| Senior Career | 12+ | 0 | — |
What these figures reveal is a player who has established himself at the highest level of club football and become a defensive pillar for his country. His World Cup campaign—4 starts, 360 minutes, 18 clearances—demonstrated his importance to Cape Verde. His market value of €15–€19.4 million reflects his standing as Cape Verde’s most valuable player.
The Present Tense
Logan Costa is 25 years old and at a defining stage of his career. He is a centre-back for Villarreal in La Liga and a World Cup player for Cape Verde.
The Villarreal Story:
Costa joined Villarreal in August 2024 on a six-year contract. He made 36 appearances and scored two goals for the club before his ACL injury. He returned from injury in May 2026. His contract with Villarreal runs until 2030.
The World Cup Campaign:
Costa was selected in Cape Verde’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, despite his nine-month injury absence. He started all four of Cape Verde’s matches. The Blue Sharks drew 0-0 with Spain, 2-2 with Uruguay, and 0-0 with Saudi Arabia to reach the Round of 16, before losing 3-2 to Argentina.
International Record:
Costa was a youth international for France before switching allegiance to Cape Verde. He made his Cape Verde debut in a 2-0 friendly win over Guadeloupe. He played all five matches at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as Cape Verde reached the quarter-finals.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Costa’s story is one of heritage and identity. Born in France, he chose to represent Cape Verde—his parents’ homeland—over the country of his birth. “My origins are Cape Verdean. I have a lot of love for Cape Verde,” he said. He visits the islands regularly and has invited others to discover the country’s beaches and people.
Costa is one of three Muslim players in Cape Verde’s 2026 World Cup squad. In 2023, he was involved in a controversy when he reportedly refused to participate in a match against Nantes due to a league-wide anti-homophobia campaign featuring rainbow-themed shirts, but he denied this allegation.
His club manager Marcelino played a key role in his recovery, reminding him that the World Cup was a possibility if he worked hard. “They reminded me every day that there was a World Cup and that I couldn’t miss it,” Costa said of the Villarreal medical and coaching staff.
The Verdict from the Camp
Bubista (Pedro Brito), Cape Verde Head Coach:
Bubista selected Costa for the 2026 World Cup squad, naming him captain of the national team. Costa’s inclusion came despite his limited club minutes after returning from injury, with the coach trusting him to lead the defence.
Logan Costa:
“I never thought negatively. Injuries are part of football. I’m young (25 years old) and the only thing I had to do when I got injured in July was to focus on my recovery.”
“When I played for France I didn’t feel anything special… Just the call from the Cape Verde coach filled me with happiness and pride. My heart knew what it wanted.”
“We play for a country, for our parents and grandparents. This is a special team. We are like Cape Verde, a people of fighters.”
Where Next?
Logan Costa is 25 years old and has established himself as a La Liga defender and a World Cup starter for Cape Verde. His contract with Villarreal runs until 2030. His market value is estimated between €15 million and €19.4 million, making him Cape Verde’s most valuable player.
For Cape Verde, Costa is the cornerstone of the national team defence. His World Cup performances—including a clean sheet against Spain—have confirmed his status as one of the nation’s most important players. At 25, he has many years ahead of him and will be central to Cape Verde’s ambitions in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and beyond.
From Saint-Denis to Reims, from Toulouse to Villarreal, and from a nine-month ACL recovery to the World Cup, Logan Costa’s journey is a story of resilience, identity, and extraordinary achievement. The boy who felt nothing playing for France but everything for Cape Verde is now the captain of the Blue Sharks—and a symbol of what can be achieved when you follow your heart.
