Liège Standard reinstates Jorge Costa: "An impressive cache of trophies ..."
Jorge Costa, a legendary figure in Portuguese football, has tragically passed away at the age of 53. Known for his long and illustrious career with FC Porto, also referred to as "the dragons," Costa spent 15 years at the club, playing 383 games and scoring 25 goals.
Costa's career with FC Porto was marked by an impressive list of titles. He won eight Primeira Liga titles, five Taça de Portugal (Portuguese Cups), the 2003 UEFA Cup, the 2004 UEFA Champions League, the Intercontinental Cup, and eight Super Cups. Notably, he captained José Mourinho's team to the Champions League victory in 2004.
In the first half of the 2005/06 season, Costa was part of the FC Porto squad but did not play any minutes under Co Adriaanse. He eventually moved to Standard Liège for the remainder of the season, where he played 16 games as a starter and a full player. This was his last club as a footballer.
Before his football career, Costa made a significant mark on the international stage. He represented Portugal 50 times, scoring two goals. He participated in one FIFA World Cup and one UEFA European Championship. His international career was highlighted by his victory in the 1991 Under-20 World Cup.
After retiring as a player in 2006, Costa transitioned into management, coaching clubs across Portugal, Romania, Cyprus, France, India, and Tunisia, including Braga, Olhanense (winning the Portuguese second division in 2009), Mumbai City FC, and the Gabon national team. By 2024, he became the director of football at FC Porto.
Sérgio Conceição, a teammate of Costa at Standard Liège during the 2005/06 season, paid tribute to his former colleague, saying, "Jorge was not only a great player, but also a great person. He will be missed by everyone who knew him."
Rest in peace, Jorge Costa. Your contributions to Portuguese football and FC Porto will never be forgotten.
References
- Portuguese Football Federation
- FC Porto Official Website
- Standard Liège Official Website
- Charlton Athletic Official Website
- Mumbai City FC Official Website
Jorge Costa's illustrious career in football included not only his successful tenure with FC Porto, but also a stint in the Champions League, as he was part of the team that secured the victory in 2004. Furthermore, his managerial career extended beyond Portuguese borders, reaching European leagues such as Romania, France, Cyprus, India, and Tunisia.
