FC Porto has formally renamed its premier training facility after legendary former captain Jorge Costa, cementing his enduring legacy within the club’s institutional identity.
The Centro de Treinos e Formação Desportiva PortoGaia, located in Olival, will now be known as the Centro de Treinos e Formação Desportiva Jorge Costa. The renaming ceremony took place Tuesday at the club’s headquarters, coinciding with what would have been Costa’s 54th birthday on October 14.
Club President André Villas-Boas emphasized the profound symbolism of holding the ceremony on Costa’s birthday. He described it as a tribute to the life Costa dedicated entirely to the club’s identity and values.
Villas-Boas stated the renaming was “a small gesture that should have been done in his lifetime and will never repay all that we owe him.” He added that Costa’s name will be “forever engraved” at the facility, ensuring future generations who enter the space will “inevitably” encounter the strength of a captain embodying the essence of FC Porto.
Jorge Costa, a central defender, captained FC Porto for over a decade, playing nearly 400 official matches for the first team. He was known for his courage, sacrifice, and team spirit, never shying from a challenge on or off the pitch.
During his illustrious career, Costa lifted numerous major titles, including eight national championships, five Portuguese Cups, five Cândido de Oliveira Super Cups, one UEFA Cup, one Champions League, and the Intercontinental Cup. He also earned 50 caps for Portugal and was part of the squad that won the U-20 World Cup. Villas-Boas praised his “rare professionalism and uncompromising passion” for Portuguese football.