Jorge Costa, Portuguese football legend, passes away
The football world mourns the loss of Jorge Costa, former captain and current director of professional football at Porto. The former footballer passed away this Tuesday at the age of 53, after suffering a cardiorespiratory arrest at the club’s training center, according to the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).
The news has shocked the sports world, which remembers Costa as a key figure in the history of Portuguese football.Costa assumed the position of director of professional football at Porto in 2024, following the arrival of André Villas Boas as the club’s new president. His coaching career includes the Romanian championship with CFR Cluj, as well as stints at Braga and Farense. He also managed the Gabon national team, in addition to experiences in Tunisian and Cypriot football. However, his most important legacy was forged on the field, where he became an icon of Porto, the club where he trained and played from 1992 to 2005. The central defender played 383 matches with the ‘dragons’ and won eight Leagues, five Cups and five Super Cups of Portugal. In addition, he led the team in winning a Europa League and a Champions League, both under the management of José Mourinho. He also played for Penafiel, Marítimo, the English Charlton, and the Belgian Standard Liège. With the selection of Portugal, he participated in 50 matches and was part of the ‘Golden Generation’, along with figures like Luís Figo and Rui Costa, who were crowned U-20 world champions in 1991.“It’s a shock this unexpected and premature departure of Jorge Costa, an athlete of my generation and an example of dedication and commitment to the teams he was part of and to our national team. My deepest condolences to the family and friends,” wrote Prime Minister Luís Montenegro on his X account after learning the news.
Luís Montenegro
