Former captain Jorge Costa has passed away at the age of 53 after suffering a cardiac arrest at the team's training ground, Porto announced on Tuesday, honoring him as "a key figure in the club's history".
"The legendary FC Porto captain and current director of professional football, passed away this Tuesday following a cardiopulmonary arrest," the club said in a statement.
The former Portuguese international defender collapsed on Tuesday morning at the club's training ground. He was rushed to the hospital, where he passed away shortly after arrival, according to local media.
Costa spent the majority of his playing career with the club, winning eight league titles and the 2004 Champions League under Jose Mourinho. He also represented the Portuguese national team 50 times.
He was part of the golden generation of Portuguese players who clinched the 1991 Under-20 World Cup, alongside Luis Figo.
"It's a shock," Prime Minister Luis Montenegro wrote on social media, praising Costa as "an example of dedication and commitment". Porto's rivals Benfica and Sporting Lisbon also paid tribute.
"Portuguese football has lost a great figure," Benfica said in a statement, acknowledging him as "a key figure in football and national sport, first as a player, then as a coach, and, more recently, as a manager".
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