Ex-Porto Captain Jorge Costa Passed Away at 53: A Glimpse into His Family Life

Jorge Costa, a legendary figure in Portuguese football and the iconic captain of FC Porto, passed away at the age of 53 on August 5, following a cardiac arrest at the club’s training ground. At the time of his death, Costa was serving as the Director of Football at FC Porto.

Costa’s record in football was momentous. Known for his leadership and toughness as a centre-back, he played 383 matches for Porto and led the team to a historic Champions League win in 2004 under Jose Mourinho and the UEFA Cup win in 2003. He also had a short stint with Charlton Athletic in the English Premier League, giving an international dimension to his career. He later managed clubs across Europe before returning to his home club of Porto in an executive capacity.

Outside of the professional sphere, Costa was a committed family man and father to two sons, David Costa Almeida and Salvador Almeida. No other information about his family has been made public.

In the football world, condolences poured in for the departed Costa. FC Porto expressed deep sadness at the loss of ‘an inescapable figure of the club’s history,’ adding that his legacy will forever be remembered by fans. Charlton Athletic noted Costa’s contribution to the club during the 2001-02 Premier League campaign, stating that they were ‘deeply saddened’ by his death. Sporting Lisbon, FC Porto’s rival, also expressed sorrow at Costa’s passing, noting his significant contribution to FC Porto and Portuguese football.

Jose Mourinho remembered Costa fondly, not just as a captain and player, but particularly as a born leader. As Mourinho put it, “You can’t buy leaders… Jorge was one of them.