Football world mourns the loss of Jorge Costa, a legendary figure in Portuguese football and a familiar face in Indian football circles, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 53. His death was confirmed by FC Porto, where Costa had returned in 2024 as the club’s technical director.
According to multiple reports, Costa suffered a fatal heart attack on Tuesday morning while at FC Porto’s Olival training complex. He began feeling unwell during the morning hours, and after collapsing, was attended to by the club’s medical staff, who administered emergency treatment including the use of a defibrillator. Spanish outlet Diario AS reported that Costa’s condition deteriorated rapidly after he lost consciousness, and despite swift medical intervention, efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
Costa was a stalwart for FC Porto, making over 300 appearances for the club during a glittering career that included winning the 2004 UEFA Champions League under Jose Mourinho, along with one UEFA Cup, eight Portuguese league titles, and numerous domestic honors. He was widely respected as a tough, disciplined central defender and was also capped 50 times for the Portuguese national team.
Jorge Costa's football and coaching journey
Beyond Portugal, Costa also had brief stints as a player with Charlton Athletic in England and Standard Liege in Belgium. Early in his career, he went on loan to Penafiel and Maritimo as he developed into one of Portugal’s most reliable defenders.
In coaching, Costa’s journey was extensive and international. He managed clubs like SC Braga, Pacos Ferreira, CFR Cluj, AEL Limassol, and Anorthosis Famagusta. In 2018, he took charge of Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League (ISL), where he left a significant impact and helped bring structure and competitiveness to the side during his tenure until 2020.
Here's how the football fraternity reacted to the news
Jorge Costa leaves behind a legacy built on leadership, resilience, and excellence both on the field and from the sidelines. His contribution to Portuguese football and his influence in leagues abroad, including India, will be remembered with deep respect and admiration.
