The former Porto captain Jorge Costa has died at the age of 53 after suffering a cardiac arrest at the club’s training centre.
The former defender, who was serving as Porto’s director of professional football in his second season in the role, was rushed to hospital but could not be saved.
“Throughout his life, both on and off the pitch, Jorge Costa embodied the values that define FC Porto: dedication, leadership, passion and an unshakeable spirit of conquest,” the club said in a statement. “He left his mark on generations of fans and became a symbol of Portismo.”
Over his career, Costa played 530 games in all competitions – 383 for Porto and 50 for Portugal’s national team. He earned the nickname Animal from teammate Fernando Couto during their partnership in central defence. As captain, he led Porto to Uefa Cup glory in 2003 and a Champions League triumph in 2004 under manager José Mourinho.
“It’s part of my history that goes,” an emotional Mourinho said at Fenerbahce’s press conference ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League qualifier against Feyenoord in Rotterdam. “You have captains, you have leaders. It’s not about the armband, it’s about what you represent. Jorge was one of these guys I used to say ‘clean the garbage’ and let the coach do his job as a coach and not as a leader of the dressing room.
“That’s perfection for a coach when the captain does this work. Of course I’m very sad, but let’s forget football. Let’s focus on him, Jorge, a young guy and his kids that I met when they were really kids and now, of course, they are grown men. Of course I am very sad but I’m here because if he could speak with me now he would tell me: ‘Come on, do your press conference and tomorrow play the game and win mister. Forget about me’. That would be Jorge. So that’s what I am going to try to do. Do my job today, do my job tomorrow, and then cry after.”
Costa was one of six players to win five consecutive Portuguese league championships with Porto, alongside Aloísio, Ljubinko Drulović, Paulinho Santos, Rui Barros and Folha.
Costa returned to the club in April 2024 as director under their new president André Villas-Boas. “Jorge Costa’s legacy will always remain alive in the memory of all Porto fans. You will never be forgotten, Captain,” the club added.
Charlton Athletic, the London club where Costa spent half the 2001-02 season on loan to play Premier League football, making 24 appearances, released a short social media statement, saying: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player Jorge Costa at the age of 53. The thoughts of everyone at Charlton Athletic are with Jorge’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
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