Mourinho praises Costa in heartfelt moment
Portuguese Football Legend Jorge Costa Passes Away at 53
Jorge Costa, a renowned Portuguese footballer and manager, has tragically passed away at the age of 53 following a cardiac arrest on August 5. Costa was a legendary centre-back who captained FC Porto during a highly successful period, and his legacy lives on in the hearts of fans and the football community.
Costa's main accomplishments include playing 383 matches and scoring 25 goals for FC Porto over 15 years, captaining the team to victory in the 2003 UEFA Cup and the prestigious 2004 UEFA Champions League under coach José Mourinho, and earning 50 caps for the Portuguese national team from 1992 to 2002. He was also part of Portugal’s 1991 FIFA Under-20 World Cup-winning squad and helped the nation reach the Euro 2000 semi-finals.
During his time at FC Porto, Costa won numerous titles, including eight national championship titles, five Portuguese Cups, five Super Cups, the Intercontinental Cup, and the UEFA Cup. He was widely regarded as a symbol of leadership, passion, dedication, and resilience, and was highly respected by Porto fans who nicknamed him “o Bicho” (the animal) for his fierce competitiveness.
At the time of his death, Costa was the director of professional football for FC Porto. Tributes poured in from the football community, including from Portuguese clubs Sporting CP, Benfica, and international figures, highlighting his importance as a football icon.
José Mourinho, who won national and European titles, as well as the UEFA Cup, alongside Jorge Costa during their playing days for the Blue and Whites, expressed his emotions over Costa's passing. "I promise you, 'Bicho,' I will do this. Rest in peace, because your legacy lives on with us," said Mourinho, offering his condolences to the family of Costa and offering words of comfort to his children.
Mourinho highlighted the leadership qualities of Jorge Costa, stating that he cleaned up the mess and allowed the coach to work as a coach. "If Jorge could talk to me now, he would tell me to go to the press conference, talk, and play the game," said Mourinho.
On Instagram, Mourinho declared that Jorge Costa would ask him to be "prepared and strong" for the players he now manages at the Turkish runner-up. "I will cry later," he added.
Jorge Costa's passing is a great loss to the football community, and his legacy will continue to live on through the countless lives he touched and the achievements he accomplished during his career.
[1] Porto FC. (2025). Jorge Costa. Retrieved from https://www.fcporto.pt/pt/jorge-costa
[2] A Bola. (2025). Jorge Costa, 53, faleceu. Retrieved from https://www.abola.pt/noticias/esportes/futebol/jorge-costa-53-faleceu-4789986
[3] Record. (2025). Jorge Costa, ex-jogador do FC Porto, faleceu aos 53 anos. Retrieved from https://www.record.pt/futebol/jorge-costa-ex-jogador-do-fc-porto-faleceu-aos-53-anos-7097565
[4] ESPN. (2025). Jorge Costa, former FC Porto captain, dies aged 53. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/soccer/portugal/story/4622188/jorge-costa-former-fc-porto-captain-dies-aged-53
[5] The Guardian. (2025). Jorge Costa, former Porto captain, dies aged 53. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/aug/05/jorge-costa-former-porto-captain-dies-aged-53
- Tributes and condolences poured in from the football community, including sports analysts, when news broke about the passing of Portuguese football legend Jorge Costa at the age of 53.
- Despite playing primarily in the European leagues, such as the Portuguese Primeira Liga and the Champions League, Jorge Costa made a lasting impact in the world of sports, being remembered for his triumphs with FC Porto, Portugal's national team, and the 1991 FIFA Under-20 World Cup-winning squad.
- In the days following Jorge Costa's passing, many Portuguese newspapers and sports broadcasters published extensive sports analyses delving into his leadership qualities and unparalleled passion for football, which played crucial roles in his successful career.
