
Jorge Costa, Champions League-winning Porto captain, dies aged 53
The former defender, who was serving as Porto's director of professional football in his second season in the role, 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 – 383 for Porto and 50 for Portugal's national team. Costa earned the nickname Animal from teammate Fernando Couto during their partnership in central defence. As captain, he led Porto to Uefa Cup glory in 2003 and a Champions League triumph in 2004 under manager José Mourinho.
The defender was one of six players to win five consecutive Portuguese league championships with Porto, alongside Aloísio, Ljubinko Drulović, Paulinho Santos, Rui Barros and Folha.
Costa returned to the club in April 2024 as director under new president André 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.
Charlton Athletic, the London club where Costa spent half the 2001-02 season on loan to play Premier League football, making 24 appearances, released a short social media statement, saying: 'We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player Jorge Costa at the age of 53. The thoughts of everyone at Charlton Athletic are with Jorge's family and friends at this difficult time.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Independent
10 minutes ago
- The Independent
Champions League winning captain Jorge Costa dies at training centre
Jorge Costa, the former Porto captain and current director of professional football, died on Tuesday at the age of 53 after suffering a cardiac arrest at the club's training centre. The former defender made 383 appearances for Porto and earned 50 caps for Portugal, helping the national side reach the Euro 2000 semi-finals. As captain, Costa famously led Porto to UEFA Cup glory in 2003 and a Champions League triumph in 2004 under manager Jose Mourinho. He was one of only six players to win five consecutive Portuguese league championships with Porto during his illustrious career. Tributes poured in from across the football world, including from Jose Mourinho, UEFA president Aleksandar Ceferin, and Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro.


BBC News
10 minutes ago
- BBC News
Brighton bring in new set-piece coach
Brighton have appointed Yannick Euvrard as set-piece coach in Fabian Hurzeler's backroom 39-year-old has spent the past two years at Anderlecht, working on set-plays as part of the Belgian side's data analysis and performance has said he is "delighted" with the addition, with technical director David Weir adding: "Hurzeler said "We are delighted to welcome Yannick as part of the coaching team, and he will work with the team on defensive and offensive set-pieces."Technical director David Weir added, "Yannick has built up an excellent reputation in Belgium and we are pleased to bring in his expertise in an area that continues to be game-changing at our level."Euvrard, a right-back in hisplaying days, started his coaching career with the Belgium national team and was part of their staff at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.


The Guardian
40 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Hartlepool chair calls on clubs to ban Jeff Stelling from boardrooms as row escalates
The broadcaster Jeff Stelling's dispute with Hartlepool United has escalated, with the chair, Raj Singh, writing to the other National League clubs asking them to ban the former Sky Sports presenter from their boardrooms. Stelling resigned as honorary president of Hartlepool in May in protest at Singh's handling of negotiations over the sale of the club, which Singh had put on the market more than two years earlier. Singh appears to have hit back by seeking to ensure that Stelling is denied hospitality at Hartlepool's away matches, which begin at Yeovil on Saturday. 'You may be aware from media coverage that Jeff Stelling has resigned as Honorary President of Hartlepool United Football Club,' Singh wrote in a letter sent last week and seen by the Guardian. 'As Chairman of Hartlepool United Football Club I would kindly and considerately ask that Mr Stelling is therefore not provided with official HUFC dignitary spaces in your Board Room, or equivalent, for any Hartlepool United fixture at your home ground. 'In the unlikely event that Mr Stelling independently attends any Hartlepool United fixture at your home ground, I'd further request that you consider to seat Mr Stelling separately to any HUFC dignitaries or staff.' Stelling resigned after it became clear that a consortium's proposed takeover was not progressing. The group led by the local businesswoman Shirley Hammond is understood to have grown frustrated that talks have stalled. 'I know this is only an honorary role, but it is the best way I felt I could protest against the treatment of the party trying to take control of the club,' Stelling said when he resigned. 'Supporters have been left in an intolerable position with a perceived threat to the future of the club should they not support the current owner.' Singh has since proposed holding a vote among season-ticket holders over whether he should stay in charge, although that has yet to take place. Stelling is a lifelong Hartlepool fan who often used his position as host of Sky Sports' live scores and results programme, Soccer Saturday, which he presented for 29 years until 2023, to promote the club. In 2016 he was appointed as the club's honorary president in place of Peter Mandelson, who was MP for Hartlepool from 1992 to 2004. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Singh saved Hartlepool from liquidation when buying the then League Two club and investing £1.8m, but the club have struggled in recent seasons. The Teesside-based care-home owner put the club up for sale after their relegation from the Football League at the end of the 2022-23 season. Singh declined to comment, but a Hartlepool spokesperson told the Guardian: 'Since Mr Stelling no longer holds any position – honorary or otherwise – in the club, but has indicated his intention to attend away games, the club has informed other clubs in the league that he is not attending on behalf of Hartlepool United Football Club.' Stelling declined to comment.