The football world is in mourning following the sudden death of Jorge Costa, the legendary former captain of FC Porto and the club’s current sporting director. He passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at the age of 53. The club and the Hospital de São João confirmed that the cause of death was a cardiac arrest.
Known for his aggressive and physical playing style, Costa earned the nicknames “Bicho” (The Animal) and “Tanque” (The Tank) from fans and teammates. He was a towering figure in Portuguese football, spending the majority of his illustrious playing career with his hometown club, FC Porto. As a central defender, he was a cornerstone of one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.
Born in Porto on October 14, 1971, Costa joined the club’s youth system before making his professional debut on loan at Penafiel and later Marítimo. He returned to Porto for the 1992-93 season and quickly established himself as a key player, eventually inheriting the captain’s armband. Over his tenure, he made 383 appearances for the Dragons, leading them to an incredible haul of 24 major trophies. His extensive list of honors includes eight Primeira Liga championships, five Taça de Portugal titles, and numerous Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira wins.
Costa’s most memorable achievements came on the European stage under the management of José Mourinho. He was the captain who lifted the UEFA Cup in 2003 after a thrilling final against Celtic. The following year, he cemented his legendary status by leading Porto to an unexpected and historic triumph in the 2003-04 UEFA Champions League. He also won the Intercontinental Cup in 2004. His career also included a brief loan spell in England with Charlton Athletic during the 2001-02 season.
On the international stage, Costa was a vital part of Portugal’s “golden generation.” He was a member of the squad that won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1991. For the senior national team, he earned 50 caps, representing his country at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and at UEFA Euro 2000, where Portugal reached the semi-finals.
After retiring as a player in 2006 following a short stint with Standard Liège in Belgium, Costa transitioned into a long and varied coaching career. He managed a host of clubs across Europe and beyond, including S.C. Braga, Olhanense, and Académica in Portugal, CFR Cluj in Romania, AEL Limassol and Anorthosis in Cyprus, and Mumbai City in the Indian Super League. He also had a spell as the manager of the Gabon national team from 2014 to 2016.
Most recently, he managed AVS, successfully guiding the team to promotion to Portugal’s top flight in the 2023-24 season. His success led to a celebrated homecoming in June 2024, when he was appointed as the director of professional football at FC Porto, a role he held for just over a month before his untimely death.
The news of his passing has sent shockwaves through the sport, with tributes pouring in from former teammates, clubs, and fans who remember him as a fierce competitor, a natural leader, and a true icon of FC Porto.
