Jose Mourinho in tears with tribute to ex-Porto captain Jorge Costa after death aged 53

Jose Mourinho gave a tearful tribute to his former Porto captain Jorge Costa, who has died aged 53.

Costa was the captain and one of the influential figures in Mourinho’s Porto side which won the Champions League in 2004.

The former centre-back won 21 trophies during his time at Porto, including eight Portuguese league titles and the UEFA Cup. He was also capped 50 times by Portugal.

Costa, who returned to Porto last year to become their director of football, suffered a cardiac arrest at the club’s training ground on Tuesday. He was immediately treated and taken to Sao Joao Hospital in critical condition before he died.

‘It’s part of my history that goes,’ Mourinho said during his press conference with Fenerbahce on Tuesday night.

‘You have captains and you have leaders. It’s not always about the armband but what you represent,’ Mourinho added. ‘And Jorge was one of these guys who cleaned the garbage and let the coach do his job as a coach.

‘That’s perfection for a coach when his captain does this work. Of course, I’m very sad it’s part of my history that goes.

‘But let’s forget football, let’s focus on him, on Jorge, on his kids, who I met when they were really kids, but now are grown men.

‘And I’m here now because if he could speak with me now he would tell me, come on, do your press conference. And he would say tomorrow play the game Mister, win the game and forget about me. That would be Jorge.

‘So that’s what I’m going to try and do, do my job today, do my job tomorrow and then cry after. But today and tomorrow I have a job to do and I know Jorge would tell me to do my job.’

Former Chelsea and Tottenham manager, Andre Villas-Boas, who is now the president of Porto, said in his tribute message: ‘Jorge Costa has left us. Our Beast. The eternal Legend of the Club.

‘Respected by so many, loved by all Porto fans, a role model as a person, as a professional and an idol to many.

‘Firstly, and on my own behalf, on behalf of FC Porto, its Board of Directors and its Governing Bodies, I would like to express our deepest condolences to his family, children and friends.

‘Next, to all Porto fans and our Blue and White family, I leave my sincere condolences.

‘Jorge Costa was one of our most beloved players, a legend who lived the Club and Porto like few others. He was unique in his way of being and relating to us and our colors. Today, we want to tell him that we will always be by his side, with the awareness and obligation to give back to him everything he gave us throughout his life. And it was a lot: blood, sweat, and tears.

‘Jorge is indescribable. He embodied everything that FC Porto is and always will be. His upright approach to victory, his limitless spirit of conquest, his moving dedication to his club, and the leadership he carried with him, wearing the legendary and eternal number 2, continued to mark FC Porto’s history with national and international achievements.

‘Jorge Costa left his mark on us all with his dedication, with everything he gave and continued to give to FC Porto. Any book that recounts the beautiful and long history of our Club will portray him as one of the most important athletes in our history. That’s how we will remember him.

‘Personally, I remember him in a special way. I always considered him a friend and saw him as a source of strength and inspiration in the dedication we are obliged to give to our Club. A friend who was always by my side. A demanding friend who, when he felt someone was flagging, was quick to offer a message of strength and focus. Not long ago, he wrote me these words:

‘Andre, I want you to know that I will always be by your side, for our FC Porto.

‘It was like this: he would get involved, scold us, lead us into the fight and only let go when he saw us celebrating a victory again.

‘Many of us remember what he suffered when he had to leave us to play for Charlton. And most of all, we remember his unbridled joy when he returned and donned the blue and white jersey once again. And what did he do next? He won everything.

‘We also remember that, while he was making his mark as a coach, he decided to abandon his career because he believed he could once again be useful to his club in a management role. He arrived without regrets and devoted himself wholeheartedly to his new role as Director of Professional Football. And that’s how he left us today: working for FC Porto’s success, after a technical meeting and an interview in which he discussed the next game of this season, which is now beginning, with the same desire to win that has always characterized him.

‘Jorge Costa never gave up. Even knowing how important he was to all of us, he never claimed a victory for himself. Victories always belonged to FC Porto. He was like that on the field and will be like that for eternity. Jorge Costa’s legacy will live on in the memories of all Porto fans.

‘Jorge, we will miss you immensely, but don’t doubt that we will fight for you just as you fought for us and for FC Porto.

‘You will never be forgotten, Captain.’

A statement from Porto read: ‘Jorge Costa, the legendary FC Porto captain and current Director of Professional Football, passed away this Tuesday from cardiac arrest,’ a Porto statement read.

‘Futbol Clube do Porto expresses its deepest sadness and consternation at the passing of an inescapable figure in the Club’s history.

‘Throughout his life, both on and off the field, Jorge Costa embodied the values that define FC Porto: dedication, leadership, passion, and an unwavering spirit of achievement. He touched generations of fans and became a major symbol of Porto.

‘In this time of immense grief, Futebol Clube do Porto extends its deepest condolences to Jorge Costa’s family, his friends, and all who shared unforgettable moments with him.

‘As this is a time of grief for his entire family and for the Porto Alegre family, we ask everyone to exercise the required discretion and respect during this time of farewell. More information will be released in due course.

‘Jorge Costa’s legacy will forever live on in the memories of all Porto fans.

‘You will never be forgotten, Captain.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.