Jorge Costa, former captain and current sporting director of Porto, dies after cardiac arrest, aged 53.

Former Porto captain and current director of professional football, Jorge Costa, died Tuesday after suffering a cardiac arrest while at the club's training center, according to the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF). In a statement published on its website, the FPF expressed its regret over the death of Costa, "one of the most outstanding players of a generation that was fundamental to the consolidation of Portuguese football."

“This unexpected and premature departure of Jorge Costa, an athlete of my generation and an example of dedication and commitment to the teams he played for and to our national team, is a shock. My deepest condolences to his family and friends,” Prime Minister Luís Montenegro wrote on his X account after learning the news.

Costa took over as Porto's director of professional football in 2024, following the appointment of former manager André Villas Boas as the club's new president. Previously, as a coach, he was a Romanian champion with CFR Cluj and managed clubs such as Braga and Farense, as well as national teams such as Gabon, in addition to spells in Tunisia and Cypriot football.

However, Jorge Costa will be remembered for his time on the pitch, where he became an icon of Porto, the club where he trained and played from 1992 to 2005. The former centre-back made 383 appearances for the Dragons , winning eight Liga titles, five Portuguese Cups and five Portuguese Super Cups, as well as captaining the team to victory in a Europa League and a Champions League, both under José Mourinho.

Penafiel, Marítimo, Charlton, and Standard Liège in Belgium were among the other clubs Jorge Costa played for. He made 50 appearances for Portugal for the senior national team and was part of the Golden Generation , alongside players like Luís Figo and Rui Costa, who won the 1991 Under-20 World Cup.