FC Porto’s football director and renowned captain Jorge Costa passed away on Tuesday at the age of 53 due to a heart attack, as reported by the Portuguese club.
“The Futebol Clube do Porto conveys its profound sorrow and shock regarding the loss of a legendary person in the club’s history,” the organization stated in a message. “In all aspects of his life, on and off the field, Jorge Costa represented the principles that characterize FC Porto: commitment, leadership, enthusiasm, and an unwavering drive to succeed.
His influence touched numerous generations of supporters and established him as an emblem of Portismo … The memory of Jorge Costa will perpetually live on in the hearts of all Porto fans.”
Costa secured the UEFA Cup in 2003, triumphantly claimed the Champions League title under the guidance of José Mourinho in 2004, and amassed eight league championships during his 15-year period with Porto.
“I am genuinely filled with sorrow, as this is a significant aspect of my past that is fading away,” Mourinho expressed with emotion at a press briefing on Tuesday prior to his Fenerbahce team’s Champions League playoff versus Feyenoord. “But let’s set aside football for now and concentrate on Jorge, a young man, and his children.”
“I feel profound sadness, yet I find myself here because if he could talk to me at this moment, he would urge, ‘Come on, conduct your press conference.’ Moreover, he would tell me tomorrow to ‘play the match, secure a victory and move on from my memory.’ That was Jorge. Therefore, I will endeavor to do just that: focus on my responsibilities today, tackle my duties tomorrow, and then mourn afterward.”
Throughout his tenure at Porto, Costa participated in 383 matches and represented Portugal 50 times.
“Jorge represented more than just a football player,” stated UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin in a public statement. “He was a powerful figure and a true warrior who motivated countless individuals. He exemplified tenacity, perseverance, and unwavering loyalty.”
Costa had a brief loan experience at Charlton Athletic while in the Premier League before concluding his playing career at Standard Liege in 2006.
“Learning about someone passing at the age of 53 is always disheartening, but he was a former teammate who held a remarkable reputation in the sport and led a Champions League victorious squad,” remarked Steve Brown, chair of Charlton’s former players’ association. “He was cherished at Charlton, a magnificent player and an exceptional person as well.”
Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of Portugal, paid his respects to Costa by sharing a photo of the late defender on his Instagram story, captioning it with “Farewell Jorge Costa.”
