Several foreign news sources say that Portuguese football great and former FC Porto captain Jorge Costa has sadly died at the age of 53 after having a heart attack at the club’s training center.
Costa was talking to SportTV at Porto’s Olival training field when the event happened. Because it was so hot, he asked the crew to move inside to keep recording at around 12:30 p.m.
But not long after that, he abruptly fell and passed out. Porto’s medical staff quickly utilized a defibrillator to give emergency care, while firefighters and the Portuguese national emergency medical team came to help soon after.
Costa was taken to the intensive care unit at São João Hospital in severe condition but regrettably died later that afternoon. Reports say he had a heart attack in 2022 and had to get surgery.
A Captain Who Led Porto to European Glory
Jorge Costa will always be a legend in Portuguese football. He led FC Porto to a historic UEFA Champions League victory during the 2003/04 season, which was one of the club’s finest triumphs. José Mourinho was responsible for the team.
Costa won eight Primeira Liga titles, one UEFA Cup, one Intercontinental Cup, five Portuguese Cups, and eight Super Cup trophies, as well as the Champions League. This makes him one of the most decorated players in Porto’s history.
Costa became a coach after he stopped playing in 2006. He worked as a manager in many countries, such as Portugal, Romania, Cyprus, France, India, and Tunisia. Most recently, he went back to Porto last season to be the club’s Director of Professional Football.
Mourinho: “He Was the Captain Every Coach Dreams Of”
José Mourinho, who is currently in charge of the Turkish team Fenerbahçe, was upset when he talked about his former captain at a press conference.
He stated, “He was a part of my life story, and now that part feels so far away,” while fighting back tears. Some players wear the captain’s armband, and others are natural leaders. Jorge was the kind of captain who discreetly cleaned up all the mess so I could focus on coaching. He was the kind of captain that every manager wants.”
Mourinho said gently, “If he were still here talking to me, he would say, ‘Go conduct your news conference, coach. Play well tomorrow and win the game.’”
Tributes from the Club and Teammates
When Costa died, people all over the football world were unfortunate. Deco and Pepe, two of his former colleagues and icons, wrote touching tributes on social media.
FC Porto also made an emotional statement: “Jorge Costa is no longer with us. He was one of us: a leader, a captain, and a good example. He was the embodiment of what FC Porto stood for. Thank you for being there for Porto until the end. Goodbye, Jorge Costa.”
The death of Jorge Costa is a massive loss for FC Porto and the whole football community. He was loyal, responsible, and a true leader all his life. His name will live on in the halls of football excellence, and his legacy will stay with his players for years to come.
Farewell, captain. Legends will never die.
