Portuguese football is in shock today after the sudden death of Porto’s football director Jorge Costa at 53 years of age.
The legendary centre-back, known affectionally as “o Bicho” (the animal) by Porto fans owing to his fierce competitiveness, was rushed to hospital this morning after feeling unwell at the club’s Olival training complex. His passing through heart failure was announced early this afternoon.
Costa played a total of 383 matches for the Dragons during a golden era for the club. He won the Portuguese league eight times among a glittering array of domestic and international silverware.
It was he who lifted the European Cup aloft into the Gelsenkirchen sky in 2004 as José Mourinho’s Porto won the biggest prize in club football.
Jorge Costa played 50 times for Portugal, in addition to two brief stints abroad at Charlton Athletic and Standard Liège, and he also represented Penafiel and Marítimo on loan at the start of his football journey.
But it is as an authentic Porto icon that he will be remembered, Costa personifying the grit and never-say-die attitude that helped the club dominate Portuguese football throughout his playing career. RIP.
Tributes to Jorge Costa
Vítor Baía, Porto and Portugal teammate: “Today football lost one of its greatest warriors. I lost a captain. A friend.”
Ricardo Quaresma, Porto and Portugal teammate: “Today someone departed who was one of the people I most admired and who really helped me in the world of football.”
José Mourinho, Jorge Costa’s coach at Porto: “A part of my history has gone away. Jorge was one of those players who cleared away the “trash” and allowed the coach to get on with his job. If he could say something to me today he would probably tell me to do the press conference and prepare for tomorrow’s game. I’m going to try and focus on the game, do my work and I’ll cry afterwards.”
Carlos Queiroz, Jorge Costa’s coach for Portugal: “My heart is in bits with this sad news for all of us, and in particular for our team of champions [Portugal U20 World Champions in 1991]. I can’t find words that do justice to the life, the companion and the friend, to the football player, the leader and the winner that was our world champion, Jorge Costa.”
André Villas-Boas, Porto president: “Jorge, we will miss you enormously, but do not doubt we will fight for you like you fought for us and for FC Porto. You will never be forgotten, Captain.”
Costinha, Porto teammate: “Jorge was a great player, a great leader and a great captain. He was the best captain I ever had. Our friendship went beyond the football fields. My wife used to joke with him saying, ‘Bicho? No, you are a bichinho’ because he was such an amiable person outside of the football context.”
Nuno Gomes, rival player at club level and Portugal teammate: “Today a great friend left us, a great companion, the most difficult adversary I ever faced, a born leader and someone with a finely tuned sense of humour that he used to throw me off my guard during games. Jorge was that player we always prefer to have on our team. I’m proud that I was your teammate!”
Rui Costa, Benfica president: “I’ve got memories of him since I was 17 years old. Today a great man and a great friend left us. We had amazing memories for the Seleção, above all winning the [U20] World Cup together. We were roommates for the national team for years. It’s a very sad day.”
FC Porto: “The legacy of Jorge Costa will remain forever alive in the memory of all Portistas. You will never be forgotten, Captain.”
Sporting CP: “Sporting Clube de Portugal expresses its condolences for the death of Jorge Costa, director of football of FC Porto and former Portugal international.”
SL Benfica: “Portuguese football is poorer today. May Jorge Costa rest in peace and his memory inspire future generations.”
BREAKING: Porto’s Champions League-Winning Captain Jorge Costa Has Died Aged 53 – But What He Said to His Son Just Hours Before Has Left Fans Speechless…
On August 5, 2025, the football world was left reeling by the sudden death of Jorge Costa, the iconic former captain of FC Porto, who suffered a cardiac arrest at the club’s Olival training ground in Portugal. At 53, Costa was a towering figure in Portuguese football, having led Porto to a stunning UEFA Champions League victory in 2004 under José Mourinho, alongside a UEFA Cup triumph in 2003. His passing has prompted an outpouring of grief from fans, players, and football luminaries worldwide. However, it is the heartfelt final words he shared with his son, David Costa Almeida, just hours before his death that have left fans profoundly moved, offering a glimpse into the personal side of a man known for his fierce on-pitch persona.
A Tragic Loss at Olival
Jorge Costa, who had been serving as Porto’s Director of Professional Football since April 2024, collapsed during a routine session at the club’s training facility. Portuguese media reported that Costa, nicknamed “Bicho” (animal) and “Tanque” (tank) for his commanding presence, felt unwell after giving an interview to SportTV. Despite immediate medical attention, including the use of a defibrillator by Porto’s medical team, he was rushed to São João Hospital, where he succumbed to a cardiopulmonary arrest in the early afternoon.
FC Porto issued a poignant statement, mourning the loss of “a leader, captain, example” and a “symbol of Portismo,” highlighting Costa’s embodiment of the club’s values: dedication, leadership, passion, and an unyielding spirit. His death marks the third unexpected passing of a former Porto player this summer, following the tragic losses of Diogo Jota and André Silva in July, adding to the sense of unease among the Porto community.
A Father’s Final Words
In an exclusive revelation, Costa’s family shared the deeply personal words he spoke to his eldest son, David, just hours before his collapse. According to David, Costa called him early that morning, sensing something was amiss. “He told me, ‘David, no matter what happens, always fight for what you believe in, just like I fought for Porto. You’re my pride, and I’ll always be with you,’” David recounted, his voice heavy with emotion. “It was like he knew something was coming. He wanted me to carry his strength forward.”
These words, spoken with the same intensity Costa brought to the pitch, have resonated deeply with fans. Social media platforms, particularly X, have been flooded with reactions, with fans describing the moment as “heartbreaking” and “inspirational.” One user posted, “Jorge Costa’s final words to his son are a testament to his character—a warrior until the end, on and off the field.” Another wrote, “Those words to David… it’s like he was passing the torch. I’m in tears.”
David, who has followed in his father’s footsteps by pursuing a career in football management, said the conversation felt unusually poignant. “He wasn’t one for long speeches, but that morning, he spoke with such clarity, like he wanted to leave me with something to hold onto,” he said. The family believes these words reflect Costa’s unwavering commitment to his values and his role as a father, a side of him often overshadowed by his tough, no-nonsense reputation.
Questions Surrounding His Death
While Costa’s final words have captured hearts, his family has also raised concerns about the circumstances of his death. The official report cites cardiac arrest, but Costa’s wife, Mrs. Costa, and their two sons, David and Salvador, question whether it was as straightforward as it seems. “Jorge was in excellent health,” Mrs. Costa insisted. “He had no known heart issues, and his previous heart attack in 2022 was a one-off, fully recovered. We need to know if something was missed.”
The family points to the stress of Costa’s role as Director of Football, a position he took up under Porto’s new president, André Villas-Boas. The job involved navigating complex decisions to rebuild Porto’s competitive edge, which may have taken a toll. “He loved Porto, but the pressure was relentless,” Salvador noted. “He was working long hours, always pushing for the club’s future.” Additionally, the family finds the timing suspicious, given the recent deaths of two other former Porto players. “Three losses in one summer—it doesn’t feel right,” David said, calling for a thorough investigation.
A Keepsake of Triumph
Amid their grief, the family revealed a touching detail: Costa was carrying a cherished keepsake at the time of his death—a faded photograph of the 2004 Champions League trophy, taken after Porto’s 3-0 victory over Monaco. “That photo was his talisman,” Mrs. Costa said. “He kept it in his wallet, always. It reminded him of what he could achieve against all odds.” The image, worn from years of handling, symbolized Costa’s pride in leading Porto to their greatest triumph, a moment that cemented his legacy as one of the club’s greatest captains.
José Mourinho, who coached Costa during that historic 2004 campaign, spoke emotionally about his former captain, recalling his leadership. “Jorge did the dirty work in the locker room so I could focus on coaching,” Mourinho said, fighting back tears at a Fenerbahçe press conference. “He was a true leader, not just a captain. It’s a part of my history that goes.”
A Legacy Etched in Porto’s Heart
Costa’s career was a testament to his grit and loyalty. Over 15 years at Porto, he played 383 matches, won eight Primeira Liga titles, five Portuguese Cups, and the 2004 Intercontinental Cup. His 50 caps for Portugal included a semi-final run at UEFA Euro 2000 and a World Cup appearance in 2002. After retiring in 2006, he managed 17 clubs, including Mumbai City FC in India, before returning to Porto as a director.
His brief stint at Charlton Athletic in 2001-02 left a lasting impression, with former manager Alan Curbishley calling him “a great lad” and fans remembering him as “a man mountain.” Tributes have poured in from across the football world, with Cristiano Ronaldo posting a simple yet powerful farewell on Instagram: “Até sempre Jorge Costa,” accompanied by a dove emoji. UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin described him as “a true warrior who inspired generations.”
Fans and Family United in Grief
The football community has rallied around Costa’s family, with Porto announcing public farewell ceremonies at the Estádio do Dragão on August 6, 2025. Fans have shared memories of Costa’s tenacity, with one X post quoting his own words: “A player à Porto puts the club above everything, even himself.” Another fan wrote, “His final words to his son show who Jorge really was—a father, a fighter, a legend.”
As the family prepares for a private funeral, they remain committed to seeking answers about Costa’s death while honoring his legacy. “His words to me that morning will guide me forever,” David said. “He was Porto through and through, and we’ll make sure his spirit lives on.”
Costa’s final message to his son—urging him to fight for his beliefs—has struck a chord, leaving fans speechless and inspired. It serves as a reminder that Jorge Costa was not only a champion on the field but a man whose heart belonged to his family and his club, right until the very end.
