Jorge Costa, FC Porto legend, dies at 53 from cardiac arrest, tributes pour in; check his biggest achievements

Jorge Costa, former captain of Porto, who led the club to the 2004 Champions League title, died Tuesday (August 5, 2025) of cardiac arrest, the club said. He was 53.

According to Portuguese media, Costa, a central defender who made 50 international appearances for Portugal, sustained cardiac arrest at the club's training center and was transported to São João Hospital. He was Porto’s director of football at the time of his death.

In its announcement, FC Porto said that Costa embodied Porto's values: “dedication, leadership, passion, and an unwavering spirit of conquest.”

Jorge Costa’s biggest achievement

Costa's finest achievement in his playing career was as captain of Jose Mourinho's Porto team, which was a surprise winner of the Champions League in 2004. A year earlier, he lifted the second-tier UEFA Cup. He also helped Porto win eight Portuguese league titles. He spent a short period on loan at the English team Charlton in the 2001-02 season.

Costa spent 15 years with the Portuguese giants, from 1990 to 2005, as a commanding center-back. During that time, he won eight league titles, five Taça de Portugal trophies, and eight Super Cups. He was also part of Porto’s crowning achievement when Mourinho’s team won the 2004 Champions League.

Jorge Costa's death: Tributes pour in

Following Costa’s death, tributes poured in for the defender. Portuguese politician Luis Montenegro said in a post, “A shock, this unexpected and premature departure of Jorge Costa.

"An athlete from my generation and an example of dedication and commitment to the teams he was part of and to our national team. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends, to @selecaoportugal, and to @FCPorto."

Former captain of FC Porto, Vítor Baia, shared an emotional message on Instagram and remembered Costa.

"Today, football lost one of its greatest warriors. I lost a captain. A friend. Jorge Costa wasn't just a leader on the field—he was the soul of the locker room, an example of courage, dedication, and love for the jersey. We had the privilege of sharing so many moments together, so many achievements, so many struggles. And we won. We won championships, cups, and above all, we won because of the way we lived football: with passion and loyalty," he wrote on Instagram.

"You were my captain for years, but above all, you were always a true friend, present in good times and bad. Your firm voice, your determined gaze, your hug after every victory... they will be engraved forever. It pains me to write these words. Because the world of football will never be complete without you. Because you shouldn't have left so soon. But your memory will live on in every title won, in every story told, in every heart you touched with your strength and generosity. Rest in peace," he added.

“To hear of a life taken at 53 is never nice to hear, but he’s a former teammate who had such a great standing in the game and captained a Champions League-winning side,” said Steve Brown, chair of Charlton's ex-players’ association. “He was loved at Charlton, a man mountain of a player and a great guy too.”