Portuguese football legend Jorge Costa passes away, former captain of Champions League-winning team

A new wave of sorrow has fallen over Portuguese club Porto’s passionate fanbase. On Tuesday (August 5), at the age of 53, former captain Jorge Costa passed away due to a heart attack.

He led Porto to Champions League glory in 2004 under coach José Mourinho. The defender played 50 matches for the Portuguese national team and also competed in the English Premier League. After playing one season for Charlton in 2001-02, Costa retired from professional football in 2006.

Following his playing career, he found success as a coach, managing 16 clubs. Most recently, he served as Porto’s professional football director, where he suffered a cardiac arrest at the training center.

Porto club stated, “Jorge Costa embodied the club’s values both on and off the field — dedication, leadership, passion, and a will to win — leaving an impact on multiple generations of supporters.”

This summer, Porto mourned the tragic deaths of two former players, Diogo Jota and André Silva, in a road accident. Costa’s unexpected passing adds another layer of grief to the club.

José Mourinho, who coached Porto from 2002 to 2004, paid tribute saying, “If he were talking to me now, he’d say, ‘You do your job, win the match, and forget about me.’ I will try to finish my work before I cry.”

Costa rose through Porto’s academy, playing 324 matches for the club and winning 24 trophies before leaving in 2005, including the Champions League, Europa Cup, and eight Primeira Liga titles.

Deep respect and condolences have been expressed in memory of this Porto football legend.