Jorge Costa was a legendary Portuguese footballer, manager, and director. He was nicknamed “Bicho” (animal) and “Tanque” (tank) for his aggressive and powerful defending. Born on October 14, 1971, in Porto, Portugal, Jorge sadly passed away on August 5, 2025, at the age of 53 due to cardiac arrest, as reported by The Guardian.
He captained FC Porto to many big wins, including the 2004 UEFA Champions League under coach José Mourinho. Over his career, he won 24 major trophies, including eight Primeira Liga titles and played 50 times for the Portugal national team.
In 2025, he was working as Porto’s director of football, a role he began in 2024. His sudden passing led to tributes from many clubs including FC Porto, Benfica, and Charlton Athletic. Jorge Costa’s estimated net worth was around $2–5 million. This article covers his age, family, career, net worth, and legacy.
Jorge Costa Wiki/Bio
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Jorge Paulo Costa Almeida |
| Date of Birth | October 14, 1971 |
| Date of Death | August 5, 2025 |
| Age at Passing | 53 years |
| Profession | Footballer, Manager, Football Director |
| Hometown | Porto, Portugal |
| Last Residence | Porto, Portugal |
| Nationality | Portuguese |
Early Life
Jorge Costa was born and raised in Porto, Portugal, in a working-class family. His father was Mr. Paulo Costa, and his mother is simply referred to as Mrs. Costa. He grew up playing football in local neighborhoods and eventually joined FC Porto’s youth system. In 1990, he made his professional debut on loan with Penafiel.
He once shared that his tough style of play came from watching strong Porto defenders when he was a child. In 2022, he underwent heart surgery but recovered well at the time.
Education
Jorge Costa left school early to focus on his football career. He joined FC Porto’s youth academy and became a full-time athlete from a young age.
Family Details
| Relationship Status | Married to Mrs. Costa |
| Children | Two sons: David & Salvador |
Jorge was married and had two sons named David Costa Almeida and Salvador Almeida. His wife’s first name is not publicly known, and the family has always kept a low profile. His family was mentioned in tributes after his passing but remained private.
Career Highlights
Jorge Costa began his senior career with FC Porto but played early on loan at Penafiel (1990) and Marítimo (1991). He became a key player for Porto’s first team in 1992–93. As captain, he led them to:
- 8 Primeira Liga titles
- 5 Portuguese Cups
- 2003 UEFA Cup
- 2004 UEFA Champions League under José Mourinho
He played 383 games for Porto and was briefly loaned to Charlton Athletic in England in 2001–02, where fans nicknamed him “Tank.” He ended his playing career at Standard Liège in Belgium in 2006.
As a coach, he managed teams like SC Braga, Olhanense (where he won the second division in 2009), Mumbai City FC in India, and even the national team of Gabon. In 2024, he became director of football at FC Porto.
Net Worth
| Estimated Net Worth | $2–5 million (2025) |
| Main Income Sources | Playing, coaching, club director |
Jorge Costa earned most of his money through his football playing days, coaching jobs, and his later work as a director. Some sources mention a higher estimate, but $2–5 million is widely accepted. There is no confirmed information about specific properties or assets.
Recent Updates
- Death: Jorge Costa died suddenly from cardiac arrest on August 5, 2025, at FC Porto’s training ground. He was pronounced dead at São João Hospital in Porto. He had heart surgery in 2022 but recovered at that time. (Source)
- Tributes: FC Porto called him a “symbol of Portismo.” Benfica and Sporting Lisbon praised his contribution to Portuguese football. Charlton Athletic also posted an emotional tribute.
- Director Role: He had been FC Porto’s director of football since 2024 under club president André Villas-Boas.
- Online Reactions: Fans and former players shared their grief on X (formerly Twitter), calling him a leader of Portugal’s golden generation.
- Legacy: He was featured in a 2025 documentary Becoming Led-Zeppelin for his influence in sports culture.
Controversies
- Weah Incident: In 1996, AC Milan’s George Weah punched Costa during a Champions League match, claiming Costa racially insulted him. UEFA found no evidence, suspended Weah for 6 games, and Costa later sued Weah for defamation.
- Own Goal Debate: In 1991, he scored an own goal while playing for Marítimo against his parent club Porto. This caused controversy and led to a rule change where Porto stopped loaned players from facing them.
- Charlton Legacy: Some fans questioned his “legend” status at Charlton because he only played 24 games there, though others praised his impact.