Overview

• Jorge Costa suffered a cardiac arrest during morning training at Porto’s Olival centre on August 5 and died at Hospital de São João at age 53.
• The former Portugal international captained Porto to the 2004 Champions League under José Mourinho and later served as the club’s director of professional football.
• FC Porto labeled his passing a second heavy blow in a ‘black year’ after former striker Diogo Jota’s fatal accident and launched social media tributes.
• On August 6, Mourinho, now coaching Fenerbahçe, became visibly emotional at a pre-match press conference and promised to keep Costa’s influence alive.
• Portugal’s football federation and top clubs, including Benfica and Sporting, also offered condolences, highlighting Costa’s national significance.