Former Mumbai City coach, Porto great Jorge Costa dies aged 53

As per Spanish media outlet Diario AS, “Costa began to feel unwell throughout Tuesday morning and, after losing consciousness, was treated there by the club’s doctors, who used a defibrillator until the national services Medical Emergencies (INEM) arrived to take him by ambulance to the hospital.”

FC Porto, who won the UEFA Champions League in 2004 with Costa as the captain, expressed profound grief at his death.

“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, including 383 for Porto and 50 for Portugal’s national team. He earned the nickname “Bicho” (animal) from teammate Fernando Couto during their partnership in central defence.

A year before playing a stellar role in Porto’s Champions League success, he led the club to UEFA Cup glory, both with Jose Mourinho as the manager. The defender was one of six players to win five consecutive Portuguese league titles with Porto – alongside Aloisio, Drulovic, Paulinho Santos, Rui Barros and Folha.

Costa returned to the club 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.

A life in football

Costa also had brief stints at Charlton Athletic in England and Belgium’s Standard Liège, while also representing Portuguese clubs Penafiel and Marítimo on loan early in his career.

“Everyone at Charlton Athletic is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player Jorge Costa at the age of 53. Affectionately known amongst the fan base as The Tank, Costa joined the club on loan from FC Porto during the 2001/02 Premier League campaign and, despite only featuring 26 times across all competitions, is widely regarded as one of the finest centre-backs to represent the Addicks,” the club currently featuring in the second-tier EFL Championship said.

Costa also spent two seasons in India as head coach of Indian Super League (ISL) outfit Mumbai City FC. During his stint between 2018 and 2020, the team finished third and fifth in the competition, winning 17 out of the 39 games in which he was in charge. Costa had come to Mumbai after coaching clubs like SC Braga, Paços Ferreira, CFR Cluj, AEL Limassol and Anorthosis Famagusta, among others.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our former Head Coach, Jorge Costa. A leader, a fighter, and a true part of the Mumbai City family, Jorge was at the helm between 2018 and 2020. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Jorge,” the Indian franchise posted on social media.

The passing of Costa comes within weeks of the death of another Portuguese football icon, Liverpool striker Diogo Jota, who died in a road accident in July.

The 28-year-old forward was killed when the car in which he and his 25-year-old brother Andre Silva, who played for Portuguese second-division team Penafiel, were travelling, fell off the road near Zamora in northwestern Spain.