The air in Porto hung heavy with a quiet sorrow. Inside the Cristo Rei Church, and earlier at the Estádio do Dragão, a titan of the game, Jorge Costa, was being honored. Among those paying their final respects was Costinha, a former FC Porto teammate, his voice a mix of grief and profound admiration.
“We came to honor a great man, first and foremost,” Costinha shared with Sport TV, his words cutting through the solemn atmosphere. “A great friend, a great father, a great husband, a great son. What we’re feeling, it just doesn’t seem real. It feels like we were just talking yesterday. Now, he’s not here with us, not physically anyway. But we will never forget the incredible human being Jorge was.”
The Legend of ‘The Beast’
Jorge Costa was known by many as ‘Bicho’ – ‘The Beast.’ This nickname wasn’t just for show. It spoke to his fierce competitive spirit on the field. Costinha explained that Jorge’s powerful presence touched everyone. “His impact was felt everywhere,” he said. “Any club would have loved to have a ‘Bicho.’ He had a special kind of affection.”
This wasn’t about aggression for its own sake. It was about pure belief, a unique way of being, and unmatched charisma. “There wasn’t a single club that wouldn’t envy having a ‘Bicho’ in their locker room,” Costinha noted. “Someone who defended what it meant to be FC Porto with such strength and passion.” The tributes pouring in for Jorge Costa will last, Costinha believes, because everyone knew exactly who Jorge was. Yet, there’s a deep sadness. “What truly saddens me is that Jorge worked so hard to return to FC Porto,” Costinha reflected. “He gets there, he’s in a good place, and then God calls him. That’s just how life is.”
An Enduring Inspiration
Jorge Costa’s story will live on, inspiring new generations. Costinha hopes that current FC Porto players will remember Jorge’s legacy. “I’d like those who are at FC Porto now to remember who Jorge was,” he urged. “The academy can produce leaders or players just like Jorge.” It’s a natural instinct, he added, for parents to show their children good examples to follow. “He is an immortal person,” Costinha stated plainly.
A particularly powerful image from the day showed André Villas Boas, another former FC Porto figure, standing beside Jorge Costa’s urn. The emotion was clear on Villas Boas’s face, a raw and honest display of grief. Costinha understood it completely. “It was very strong,” he said. “Even in that most private moment, André couldn’t hide his emotion. It’s understandable. It’s tough. A difficult time for everyone.”
Costinha shared a deeply personal wish, a simple, heartfelt plea. “I just asked Jorge, and God, to save a small chair,” he revealed. “So that when I go to meet him, we can continue our card games.” Memories of their Sunday laughter and jokes are still fresh in his mind. “I will keep Jorge in my thoughts always,” he promised. Witnessing the tribute on the field, especially seeing Jorge Costa’s wife and children, was an overwhelming experience for Costinha. “From the moment we walked in,” he concluded, “looking at his wife, his children… I don’t know how to describe it.”