UEFA mourns Costa: He is a legend of Portuguese football, a real warrior

Hupu, August 6, Porto general manager Joe Costa unfortunately passed away, and UEFA official post to mourn the team's legendary star.

Announcement

The Portuguese football community is deeply mourning the death of Joje Costa, who died of cardiac arrest at the age of 53.

Joger Costa, the former Portuguese central defender played 50 times for the national team from 1992 to 2002, scoring 2 goals. He won the FIFAU 20 World Cup with the team in 1991 and helped Portugal reach the semi-finals of the 2000 European Cup.

He began his career in Porto and played more than 375 games for the Dragons; he led the team to win the 2003 UEFA Cup and the 2004 UEFA Champions League. He also won the Portuguese Super League with Porto eight times, won the Portuguese Cup five times, and won the 2004 European/South America Copa 2004.

Porto Club stated in their official statement: "Porto Football Club is deeply saddened and shocked by the death of this indispensable figure in the club's history. In his life, Joe Costa embodies the values that define Porto both on and off the court: dedication, leadership, passion and indomitable spirit of conquest. He influenced generations of fans and became an important symbol of Porto."

UEFA President Alexander Cefelin also paid tribute to him: "We are deeply saddened to learn that Joe Costa suddenly passed away. He is a legendary figure in Portuguese football. He is far from a famous player, but also a leader and a real warrior, inspiring generations. He embodies tenacity, perseverance and loyalty. The moment he held the Champions League trophy will always be engraved as a symbol of his unremitting dedication and fighting spirit.

"On behalf of UEFA and the entire European football family, I would like to express my deepest condolences to his family, friends, teammates and all those who mourn him. ”

Joge Costa also played for Penafil, Maridimo, Charlton Athletics and Standard Liege when he retired in 2006 and became a coach, coaching Braga, Cluj, Limassol and the Gabon national team. In 2024, after Andre Villas Boas was elected chairman, he returned to Porto to serve as football director.

Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said:

"Joge Costa's unexpected death is shocking. He is an athlete of my generation and a model of consistent dedication and commitment to the team and the national team. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends, the national team and the Porto club. ”