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The Independent
18 minutes ago
- The Independent
Jose Mourinho pays tribute as former Porto captain Jorge Costa dies aged 53
Former Porto captain Jorge Costa died on Tuesday at the age of 53 after suffering a cardiac arrest at the club's training centre, the Portuguese side said. The former defender, who was in his second season as Porto's Director of Professional Football, was rushed to hospital but could not be saved. 'Throughout his life, both on and off the pitch, Jorge Costa embodied the values that define FC Porto: dedication, leadership, passion and an unshakeable spirit of conquest,' the club said in a statement. 'He left his mark on generations of fans and became a symbol of Portismo.' Over his career, Costa played 530 games in all competitions, making 383 appearances for Porto and earning 50 caps for Portugal's national team. The centre-back helped the national side make the semi-finals of Euro 2000 and scored two goals for Portugal. The Portuguese Football Federation said: 'The Portuguese Football Federation deeply regrets the death of Jorge Costa. Footballer, coach, manager, and current director of professional football at FC Porto, Jorge Costa was one of the most remarkable players of a generation fundamental to the establishment of Portuguese football.' As captain, he led Porto to UEFA Cup glory in 2003 and a Champions League triumph in 2004 under manager Jose Mourinho. The defender was one of six players to win five consecutive Portuguese league championships with Porto, alongside Aloisio, Drulovic, Paulinho Santos, Rui Barros and Folha. He earned the nickname 'Bicho', translating to 'animal', from teammate Fernando Couto during their partnership in central defence. Mourinho posted a picture of the pair on Instagram, writing, 'I know what you would say now if you could, 'mister stop crying, tomorrow you have a match and your boys need you ready and strong'. I promise you Bicho, I am going to do it. RIP, because your legacy stay[s] with us.' UEFA president Aleksandar Ceferin also paid tribute, saying: 'It is with profound sadness that we have learned of the sudden passing of Jorge Costa. 'A legend of Portuguese football, Jorge was more than a football player – he was a leader and a true warrior who inspired generations. He embodied grit, resilience and loyalty. His unforgettable moment lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2004 remains a legendary tribute to his unwavering dedication and spirit. 'On behalf of UEFA and the European football family, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, team-mates, and all who are grieving his loss.' The Portuguese prime minister, Luis Montenegro, released a statement expressing his condolences and described Costa as 'an example of dedication and commitment to the teams he was part of and to our national team'. Costa returned to Porto in April 2024 as director under new president Andre Villas-Boas. 'Jorge Costa's legacy will always remain alive in the memory of all Porto fans. You will never be forgotten, Captain,' the club added.


The Guardian
19 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Why is ‘Dave from Egham' so wound up by women's football?
Barney Ronay's article, inspired by the radio rant by 'Dave from Egham' about being unable to stand women's voices talking about football and having women's football 'thrown down our throats' during Euro 2025, was refreshing and entertaining (The soundtrack of the women's Euros was happiness … and some men can't cope, 2 August). At a recent family gathering, some of the men started talking about the same thing – how there were so many women presenters and commentators talking about football and not just women's football, no, but, God forbid, men's football, and actually sport in general! What is the world coming to? How dare these women speak knowledgably in articulate sentences and joyful tones? And like 'Mrs Dave', my sister joined in and supported the patriarchal point! The conversation continued along this vein for some time, eventually arriving at the well-worn waffle about 'women can't play football as well as men and shouldn't be paid the same, blah blah blah…'Helen JohnsonNottingham I ask myself why some men are so antagonistic to women's football, why they feel it is being 'thrown down our throats', and why they can become so wound up by women's voices and generally be so misogynistic and so open about their poisonous beliefs. My guess would be that they feel jealous and under threat. Not since the heady days of women's football attracting large crowds (like Dick, Kerr Ladies, who drew a crowd of 53,000 at Goodison Park on Boxing Day 1920) has women's football been so popular. But the men were back from war, and it was time for them to have their game back. So, obligingly, the FA disallowed women from playing on affiliated pitches for half a century. In men's football, England has led the way with the formation of the Premier League, attracting players and fans from around the world – even if, internationally, we always fall at the last hurdle, or before. Then along came the women's troops, gaining attention after much ridicule and playing good football – and not rolling around on the floor and berating the referee. There are plenty of sports on TV, to watch or not. The 'Dave from Egham' types should get on with their own lives and stop being such haters – it's bad for their health. Laura FarninghamVejer de La Frontera, Spain What Barney Ronay describes as the happiness of the Euros is, to my mind, just what sport should be. The sport was competitive, exciting and skilful, but there was still a sense of proportion. It was sport, not life, and the people playing it went back to homes that were something like those of their fans. Sport is a game, chaps. You can still celebrate endeavour and skill, but just stop taking it all so seriously. The Lionesses showed us, again, that sport can be pure StreatfieldRichmond, North Yorkshire I arrived in the British Isles in 1968 and was completely mystified by the warfare between football fans. I'd support whatever team appealed at the time and could never drum up any hatred for the other side. I hadn't realised that I was watching, and enjoying, the women's football because that anger and threat of violence was missing. I would like to thank Barney Ronay for the explanation. Beth BoltonSoutham, Warwickshire Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.


Daily Mail
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Raheem Sterling 'eyed by THREE Premier League clubs' after exiled Chelsea star was handed brutal snubbing as Enzo Maresca moves on
Raheem Sterling is believed to have caught the interest of three Premier League sides, with the forward all but guaranteed to make the move away from Chelsea after being frozen out by head coach Enzo Maresca. The former Manchester City star joined the Blues in the summer of 2022 after inking a £47.5million deal to move to the capital. But Sterling has struggled for form in recent seasons, finding himself on the periphery of the plans of both Mauricio Pochettino and Maresca, with the player spending last season on loan with crosstown rivals Arsenal. Despite his pursuit of a fresh start, the winger found it equally challenging to break in to Mikel Arteta 's side, scoring just one goal in his 27 appearances. Sterling is believed to have been informed by Maresca that he will not feature for the Club World Cup winners this term, and does not even have a profile or photo in the first-team section of the website. However, the 30-year-old is not without transfer options, with outlets reporting that a number of division rivals could yet battle to secure his services. Chelsea's next-door neighbours Fulham are thought to be keeping an eye on the player, along with south London side Crystal Palace, as per talkSPORT. Sterling could also see a reunion with a former Chelsea manager, with Graham Potter's West Ham believed to be rounding out the group of clubs interested in the ex-Liverpool man. The player is thought to be keen to stay in London, where he has relocated with his young family, which could make signing for any of his three potential suitors an option. Mail Sport reported last month that Sterling had been offered up to Serie A champions Napoli, but those wishes would suggest Premier League offers will be considered more seriously by the star. But Sterling's sky-high wages are believed to represent a stumbling block in the face of a move away from Stamford Bridge, with the England international reportedly earning a staggering £325,000 per week. Sterling is one of nine players that Maresca has banished from the first team, including Ben Chilwell, Alfie Gilchrist, Axel Disasi, Carney Chukwuemeka, Renato Veiga and David Datro Fofana. Midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is on the cusp of following in the footsteps of outgoing players such as Joao Felix, Armando Broja, and Lesley Ugochukwu and inking a move away, with the former Leicester star departing for Everton after just one season in west London. But Chelsea will look to secure even more player exits before the transfer window closes at the end of the month after drafting in a raft of new recruits. The Blues have signed a number of big-name forwards including Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap, and Joao Pedro, pushing Sterling's name further out of the frame.