A quiet sorrow settled over the final farewell to Jorge Costa, an iconic figure in Portuguese football. Among those gathered, his former teammate Carlos Chainho stood out, visibly heartbroken. They shared three seasons together at FC Porto, but their bond clearly went much deeper than just the pitch. Chainho spoke not just of a great player, but of a truly great person.
“Jorge is a part of my own story,” Chainho shared, his voice heavy with emotion, speaking to Sport TV. “He was an incredible captain. He always helped new players arriving at FC Porto, and I was no different. He even lived next door to me. I gave him rides sometimes.” Chainho remembered a tough spell early in his career, when he barely played. “He kept telling me to train hard, that I would make it. And he was right, things eventually clicked.” He even recalled a small, personal detail: “He actually influenced how I celebrated my goals. He told me to do it that particular way. Jorge is part of me and my family; we spent so much time together away from the game.”
Of course, Jorge Costa won many titles. Everyone knows that. But Chainho believed his true greatness lay elsewhere. “He stood out most for his human touch. We’d known each other for almost thirty years. We talked often,” Chainho explained. “This is just a sad, sad day. To be only 53, with children, with so much life ahead. He was at home, doing something he loved.”
Chainho then reflected on the widespread respect for Jorge Costa, a rare sight in the often-harsh world of football. “Jorge was universally admired. In our game, where criticism is common and respect sometimes scarce, where people can be very extreme, to see such unity around Jorge Costa – that’s what football should be about,” Chainho stated firmly. “On the field, we are rivals, that’s fine. But off it, respect is essential. When I see everyone united around a figure who, to me, was one of a kind, I believe we must truly appreciate it.”
