Jose Mourinho was full of emotion as he spoke about the heartbreaking death of Jorge Costa, the legendary Portuguese footballer who captained Porto to Champions League glory in 2004. Costa died at the age of 53 after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest during a training session at FC Porto. He was rushed to São João Hospital in Porto, but doctors were unable to save him.
Jorge Costa was not just a footballer. He was a true leader on and off the pitch. Mourinho, now the head coach of Fenerbahçe, struggled to hold back tears during a press conference when asked about his former captain.
Costa wore the captain’s armband during one of the most glorious periods in Porto’s history. Under the leadership of Jose Mourinho, he led Porto to victory in the UEFA Cup in 2003 and the Champions League in 2004. These were golden moments in Portuguese football, and Jorge Costa stood proudly at the center of them.
Mourinho remembered Costa not just as a player but as a man who brought calm, strength, and leadership to the team. “You have captains, and then you have leaders,” Mourinho said. “It’s not always about wearing the armband. Jorge was the type of player who handled everything that needed to be handled so the coach could focus on football.”
📰 Also Read This:
“That’s perfection for a coach,” Mourinho added. “And Jorge gave me that.”
Born in Portugal, Costa spent nearly his entire football career at FC Porto. He played over 350 matches for the club, giving his heart and soul to the blue and white jersey. In the 2001–2002 season, he briefly played in the English Premier League with Charlton Athletic before returning to Porto.
After retiring as a player in 2006, Costa moved into coaching and later returned to Porto in 2024 as the club’s director of football. His comeback to the club where he made history was a proud moment for him, his family, and Porto fans.
But on Tuesday, everything changed. Costa collapsed during a training session. Emergency responders did everything they could, but sadly, he passed away.
Jose Mourinho was preparing for a Champions League qualifying match with his current club Fenerbahçe when he heard the tragic news. He admitted it felt like part of his personal history had died with Jorge. But even in this moment of deep sadness, Mourinho remembered what Costa would have told him: “Do your press conference. Win the game. And forget about me.”
Mourinho, deeply moved, said, “That’s what I’m going to try and do. Do my job today, do my job tomorrow, and then cry after. Because Jorge would want me to do my job.”
FC Porto also shared a powerful tribute to their former captain. The club called Costa an “inescapable figure” in their long and proud history. They asked fans and the public to respect the grief of his loved ones.
In a public statement, the club wrote: “Throughout his life, Jorge Costa embodied the values that define FC Porto: dedication, leadership, passion, and an unwavering spirit of conquest. He influenced generations of fans and became a major symbol of Porto.”
Fans from all over the world, especially in Portugal and Turkey, have sent in their condolences and shared memories of the iconic defender. Many remember his powerful tackles, his strong presence at the back, and his ability to inspire his teammates during the most important moments.
Costa’s legacy is not just about trophies. It’s about how he lived his life and how he led others. His presence on the field made his teammates better. His courage made his coaches braver. And his love for Porto made the club stronger.
His death is a deep loss for the football world. But the lessons he left behind, loyalty, leadership, strength, and humility, will live on.
Mourinho’s words say it all: “Let’s forget football, let’s focus on Jorge, on his kids. I met them when they were just boys. Now they are grown men. And I know Jorge would want me to be strong for them.”
As Fenerbahçe prepares for its clash against Feyenoord in the Champions League qualifiers, Mourinho will carry Jorge Costa’s memory with him, not just as a coach remembering a player, but as a friend honoring a brother.
Rest in peace, Jorge Costa. Porto’s captain. Mourinho’s warrior. A legend forever.
