Former FC Porto captain Jorge Costa has died at the age of 53 after suffering a cardiac arrest at the club's training centre.
Costa, who captained the Portuguese club to Champions League glory under manager José Mourinho in 2004, collapsed suddenly at Porto's training facility, according to reports.
The defensive stalwart earned 50 caps for the Portugal national team during his illustrious career and was known for his leadership qualities and commanding presence on the pitch.
Costa's career also included a spell in the English Premier League, where he spent the 2001/2002 season on loan at Charlton Athletic before eventually retiring from professional football in 2006.
His passing comes as another devastating blow to Portuguese football, occurring just weeks after the football world mourned the death of another Portuguese player, Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in Spain.
Costa's legacy at Porto remains significant, having been a key figure in one of the club's most successful periods, culminating in their Champions League triumph. His leadership during that campaign was instrumental as Porto defeated Monaco 3-0 in the final to claim European football's most prestigious trophy.
The football community across Portugal and beyond has begun paying tributes to the defender who was admired for his commitment, professionalism, and tactical intelligence throughout his career.
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