Following a heart attack at the team’s training facility, former Porto captain Jorge Costa passed away at the age of 53.
The defender earned 50 caps for Portugal and guided the Portuguese team to Champions League success in 2004 under manager Jose Mourinho.
Costa retired from football in 2006 after spending a season on loan at Charlton in the Premier League in 2001–02.
Before accepting the position of director of professional football at Porto last season, the centre-back transitioned into management and worked for 16 different clubs.
“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 organisation stated. “He left his mark on generations of fans.”
After the untimely deaths of former loanee Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in July, who played for Porto for six years, this is the third untimely death of a former player this summer.
Mourinho, the manager of Fenerbahce, who oversaw Costa at Porto from 2002 to 2004, held back tears and honoured his former captain during a press conference prior to Wednesday’s Champions League third-round matchup with Feyenoord.
“If he could speak with me now he would say ‘do your press conference, tomorrow play the game mister and win the game – forget about me’,” stated Mourinho.
“I’m going to try and do my job today and tomorrow, and then I’ll cry after.”
Costa made 324 appearances for Porto after graduating from the academy.
Before departing in 2005, he won eight Primeira Liga titles, the Champions League, and the Uefa Cup, totalling twenty-four trophies.
Deco, who also played for Porto in the Champions League, called Costa a “legendary captain” and called him by his nickname, Bicho, which translates to “bug” in Portuguese.
“Today, FC Porto and Portuguese football lose one of its greatest symbols,” Deco wrote on Instagram.
“Porto’s enthusiasm and tenacity were personified by Jorge Costa. We were all inspired by this renowned leader.
“To share so many titles and joys with you was an honour. We will never forget your name. I send my sympathies to the whole family. Always see you, ‘Bicho’.
Pepe, another former teammate, sent his condolences to the entire family.
“Your commitment and legacy will endure forever in FC Porto’s unmatched winning record. Peace be with you, Jorge Costa.
Costa received the Portuguese Golden Ball, which is presented to the greatest player in the league, in 2000.
Costa made 26 appearances for the Addicks after going on loan to Charlton in 2001 following a falling out with Porto coach Octavio Machado.
Alan Curbishley, the former Charlton manager, described him as “a fantastic person who always got his point across.”
“His skill earned him the respect of all. He was a wonderful boy.
The team claimed that Costa’s “passing has shaken the entire national sporting community” when he started his managerial career there.
“Braga cannot help but share in the enormous grief felt by his family, his friends and the entire FC Porto organisation,” the organisation said in a statement.
Costa led teams in Romania, Cyprus, Tunisia, India, and Gabon following periods in the dugout with Braga, Olhanense, and Academica in Portugal.
