Jorge Costa, the former Porto defender who captained the club to a historic Champions League victory in 2004, has died at the age of 53 following a cardiac arrest, the club confirmed Tuesday.
At the time of his passing, Costa was serving as Porto’s director of football. The club paid tribute to his legacy, highlighting his “dedication, leadership, passion, and relentless spirit of conquest.”
According to Portuguese media, Costa collapsed at Porto's training ground and was taken to São João Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
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Costa was best known for leading José Mourinho’s Porto to Champions League glory in 2004. The year before, he had lifted the UEFA Cup with the team. Over his playing career, he helped Porto secure eight Portuguese league titles and earned 50 caps for Portugal.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro expressed condolences, lauding Costa’s service to both club and country. Mourinho also paid an emotional tribute, imagining Costa saying, “Mister, stop crying, tomorrow you have a match and your boys need you ready.”
Costa had a brief loan spell at Charlton Athletic in the 2001–02 season. Former teammate Steve Brown described him as “a man mountain and a great guy.”
Source: Agency