Jorge Costa, 53, dies after training ground tragedy as tributes paid to ex-Prem star

Jorge Costa, Jose Mourinho's Champions League-winning captain at FC Porto in 2004, has died at the age of just 53.

It's understood Costa, who was Porto's director of football, suffered a cardiac arrest at the club's training ground in Olival according to Portuguese media.

Costa started his career at Porto and played at total of 383 times for the club, winning 24 trophies along the way - including a memorable Champions League triumph in the 2003-04 season and the UEFA Cup the season prior.

He also spent one season in the Premier League after being loaned to Charlton Athletic in the 2001-02 campaign. He played 26 times for the Addicks under Alan Curbishley. After leaving Porto, Costa later managed a string of European clubs before returning to Porto as their director of football last year.

Porto confirmed his death on Tuesday in an emotional post on Twitter - hailing him as "a symbol" of the club.

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"Jorge Costa has left us," their statement read. "One of us, a leader, captain, example. A symbol of FC Porto. Thank you for being FC Porto until the end. Forever, Jorge Costa."

Tributes began pouring in from around Portuguese football as Porto's rivals Sporting Lisbon also paid tribute to Costa. They said: "Sporting Clube de Portugal expresses its sorrow for the passing of Jorge Costa, football director of FC Porto and former Portuguese international.

"To his family, friends, and all those who shared his life, Sporting Clube de Portugal extends its deepest condolences, paying tribute to his memory and his contribution as a figure of FC Porto and Portuguese football."

Meanwhile, Liga Portugal also sent its condolences to the family of Costa, recalling the former player's "fighting spirit and leadership". It said: "In this moment of grief, Liga Portugal extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, FC Porto, and all those who shared his passion for football. Rest in peace."

Mourinho once reflected fondly on a story involving Costa and his incredible influence as captain of Porto.

The former Chelsea boss said: "I had captains who were not leaders. I had one at Porto, Jorge Costa. One day, we were losing a match against a team called Belenenses, we were down 2-0 at halftime. I was walking to the locker room, and everyone saw I was furious.

"When I was about to enter, Jorge Costa told me, 'Wait outside for two minutes, please.’ He went in, closed the door, and did the dirty work for me. Then he opened the door and said, ‘Coach us.’ Because in the locker room, he did everything I would have done.

We won 3-2. He was a center-back, had never scored goals in his life; that day, he scored two. Captain and leader are very different things. You can’t buy leaders. You can’t manufacture leaders. And when you have them, your team is one step ahead."

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