The world of football is in mourning again. Jorge Costa, director of professional football at FC Oporto, died this Tuesday after suffering a heart attack. He was rushed to the Sao Joao de Pesqueira hospital, but unfortunately, he passed away despite the efforts of the doctors.
In the morning, Costa had attended the 'Sport TV' media and then began to feel ill. He had complained about the heat. It was not the first time that Costa had suffered a cardiac problem. In 2022 he suffered a similar episode, but it did not lead to major complications.
However, on Tuesday morning, his condition worsened until he lost consciousness. Club doctors tried to revive him with the use of a defibrillator until the emergency personnel transferred him to the Sao Joao hospital, but unfortunately, he died at the age of 53.
“Throughout his life, Jorge Costa embodied, on and off the field, the values that define FC Oporto: dedication, leadership, passion, and an unwavering spirit of conquest. He influenced generations of fans and became a symbol of the club”, wrote the Portuguese team in the official statement.
Jorge Costa, legend of Oporto, won everything in 2004
Costa played as a central defender and is one of the greatest idols of the Portuguese club. He played 383 matches, being the eighth player with the most appearances, and scored 25 goals. He was in two stages 1990-1991 and in 1992-2006, in the latter he obtained all possible titles, 21 in total.
Costa's exquisite record wearing blue and white is divided into a Champions League, a UEFA Cup, eight national championships, five Portuguese cups, an Intercontinental Cup, and six Cándido Oliveira super cups.
At the national team level, he was champion of the U-20 World Cup in 1991 together with Luis Figo and Rui Costa. In the senior team, he played 50 matches, scoring a couple of goals.
José Mourinho, very affected by the death of Jorge Costa
José Mourinho, who was Costa's coach at Oporto in his most successful stage, attended the media on the eve of his team Fenerbahçe's match against Feyenoord for the previous phase of the Champions League; where he felt moved after learning of Costa's death.
“It is a part of my history that is leaving me. You have captains, you have leaders... sometimes it has nothing to do with the armband, but with what you represent, and Jorge was one of those”, declared the Portuguese coach through tears.
Mourinho had Costa as captain during his time on the 'dragons' bench (2001-2004). The match between Oporto and Vitória, scheduled for this Saturday, was postponed to Monday, August 11 due to mourning.