Sports figure Jorge Costa deeply revered by Vitinha, who praises his significant impact on their profession: "A towering presence in our sport"
In a heartfelt statement, the football world expressed its deepest sympathies to the Portuguese people, following the tragic passing of Jorge Costa. Known for his significant contributions to sports, Costa was a beacon in Portuguese sports and will be deeply missed.
The outpouring of condolences extends to Costa's family, with many offering their support during this difficult time. Fans of Porto, where Costa spent a significant portion of his career, join the chorus of those expressing their grief.
Meanwhile, the football scene took a pause as Tottenham, Lionel Messi's current team, had a week of pre-season without any games. Despite this, the team managed to score two goals from set pieces in a recent match, a testament to their strategic play.
In other news, Messi has been nominated for the Ballon d'Or, an accolade based on the collective success achieved by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The Argentine superstar, however, believes his teammates deserve the recognition more for their collective efforts.
PSG, under Messi's leadership, has been enjoying a successful season so far. They have won their first two Ligue 1 matches, with a +2 goal difference and 6 points, and have also claimed multiple trophies in 2025, including the Champions League, Ligue 1, French Cup, French Champions Trophy, and the Super Cup.
While data on PSG's set-piece efficiency and penalty shootout performance is not readily available, the team's consistent winning margins and trophy haul suggest effective overall gameplay, including set pieces. To delve deeper into these statistics, specialized statistical databases or coaching analyses would be required.
In a tight match against Angers, PSG managed to secure a 1-0 victory, indicating potential strength in their defensive set-piece organization or ability to manage narrow-margin games. Furthermore, their effective goal conversion opportunities, often provided by set pieces, are hinted at by their victories in finals with scores of 3-0 and 1-0 in various competitions.
As the football community continues to mourn the loss of Jorge Costa, the focus shifts to the upcoming games, with PSG set to continue their strong form in the 2025-26 season. Messi, on the other hand, remains hopeful for a high finish in the Ballon d'Or, while acknowledging the contributions of his teammates.
