Football legend Jorge Costa, the ex-captain of FC Porto, succumbs to a heart attack at age 53 in Portugal.
FC Porto Mourns the Passing of Jorge Costa
Jorge Costa, a legendary figure in FC Porto's history, has passed away at the age of 53 following a cardiac arrest at the club's training ground on August 5, 2025.
Costa, who was the director of football at the time of his death, spent 15 years at FC Porto as a player, appearing in 383 games and scoring 25 goals. His most memorable achievement came in 2004 when he captained Jose Mourinho's Champions League winning side. Aside from the Champions League, Costa won eight league titles, the Uefa Cup, the Intercontinental Cup, five Taca de Portugal trophies, and eight Super Cups.
The news of Costa's death has sent shockwaves throughout the footballing community. Tributes have poured in from all corners, including from FC Porto's rivals Sporting Lisbon and Charlton Athletic. Sporting Lisbon expressed condolences for Costa and paid tribute to his memory and contribution as a figure of FC Porto and Portuguese football. Charlton Athletic, where Costa played on loan, said it was deeply saddened about his death and that he is widely regarded as one of the finest centre-backs to represent the club, affectionately known among the fanbase as 'The Tank'.
Costa's management career was equally impressive, with stints in various countries including Romania, Cyprus, France, India, and Tunisia. He managed clubs such as Cluj, AEL Limassol, Anorthosis, Tours, and CS Sfaxien. Costa finished his playing career at Standard Liège in Belgium.
In addition to his achievements on the pitch, Costa also made 50 appearances for the Portuguese national team, featuring at one World Cup and one European Championship, and scoring two goals.
On the fateful day of his death, Costa had felt unwell in the morning and was taken to São João Hospital in Porto, where he went into cardiopulmonary arrest and later passed away. FC Porto expressed deep sadness and consternation at the passing of Costa, an inescapable figure in the club's history.
In 2022, Costa suffered a heart attack and underwent catheterisation to widen an artery. At around 12:30 pm local time (1:30 pm CET), the club called the emergency services, who transported Costa to hospital in a very serious condition. Costa was initially assisted by FC Porto's medical team using a defibrillator at the scene.
Costa's legacy will forever live on in the memory of all Porto fans, according to the club's statement. His passion for the game and dedication to FC Porto will be remembered for generations to come.
[1] FC Porto official statement [2] BBC News [3] ESPN
- Jorge Costa's career in football, spanning over 383 games with FC Porto, culminated in a remarkable achievement as he captained the team to win the Champions League in 2004.
- After retiring from professional football, Costa delved into the world of sports management, coachings teams in European leagues, and various countries such as Romania, Cyprus, France, India, and Tunisia.
- Despite his successful career in football and sports management, Jorge Costa's health battled medical-conditions, including a heart attack in 2022 that required catheterisation to widen an artery.
- Even after his passing, Jorge Costa's cardiovascular-health issue serves as a reminder of the importance of health-and-wellness, not just for athletes, but for everyone.
