Porto legend and football director Jorge Costa dies at 53

Former captain and current director of professional football at Porto, Jorge Costa, died on Tuesday after suffering a cardiac arrest while at the club's training and education centre, according to the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).

The FPF mourned Costa's death in a statement published on its website, calling him “one of the most outstanding players of a generation that was fundamental to the consolidation of Portuguese football.”

"The unexpected and premature passing of Jorge Costa, an athlete of my generation and an example of dedication and commitment to the teams he played for and to our national team, comes as a shock. My deepest condolences to his family and friends," wrote Prime Minister Luis Montenegro on his X account after hearing the news.

Costa took over as director of professional football at Porto in 2024, with former coach Andre Villas Boas taking office as the club's new president.

Previously, as a coach, he was Romanian champion with CFR Cluj and managed teams such as Braga and Farense, as well as national teams such as Gabon, in addition to working in Tunisian and Cypriot football.  

However, Jorge Costa will be remembered for his time on the pitch, where he became an icon at Porto, the club where he trained and played from 1992 to 2005.

The former centre-back played 383 games with the Dragons and won eight leagues, five cups, and five Portuguese Super Cups, as well as captaining the team to victory in a Europa League and a Champions League, both under the guidance of Jose Mourinho.  

Penafiel, Maritimo, Charlton in England, and Standard Liege in Belgium were other teams for which Jorge Costa played.

With Portugal, he played 50 games for the senior team and was part of the ‘Golden Generation’, alongside players such as Luis Figo and Rui Costa, which won the Under-20 World Cup in 1991.