Jorge Costa linked the team and FC Porto’s board, he was vital | OneFootball

Titles, armband, leadership, and mystique. The loss of Jorge Costa created a significant void in FC Porto's locker room. This is the conviction of former teammates Edmilson and Rubens Júnior, who emphasize the enormous influence the former captain and director had on the players. Exclusively for Portal dos Dragões, the former FC Porto footballers remember Jorge Costa with fondness and highlight the decisive role he played at Dragão.

“Besides being our captain, after João Pinto, he was a very remarkable person. On the field, during games and training, he was very strong and vigorous. It was no coincidence they called him the ‘Beast’ [laughs]. He didn't give anyone an easy time. Off the field, he was a fantastic person. He was a friend, a joker… It's a shame. When I saw the news, I was very sad. He will be greatly missed at FC Porto," says Edmilson, the Brazilian forward who played 54 games alongside Jorge Costa during the two years he wore the blue and white jersey.

In turn, Rubens Júnior always saw Jorge Costa as a “leader” capable of ensuring harmony between the squad and the FC Porto management with distinction.

“I remember Jorge as the voice of the team. Whether on the field, in the locker room, or with management. He bridged the team and management, negotiating according to the moment. He was very loyal and faithful to that. The role of a leader is very complicated because a leader has to see the side of the club and also the squad. He can't lean too much to one side. He has to show that each has their reasons. Knowing how to do that is not for everyone. It requires the trust of both sides. He had that ease. We saw that when he played and now as a director,” highlights the former Brazilian defender, who shared the field with Jorge Costa on 39 occasions.

Edmilson's Memories

When asked about the most memorable moments alongside Jorge Costa, Edmilson highlighted the trophies won with the direct collaboration of the ‘Beast’.

“I remember many things. I remember the Cândido Oliveira Super Cup when we beat Benfica 5-0. Artur scored, then I scored, and he scored the third, if I'm not mistaken. Then, his goal at Luz against Benfica. There are many stories. I even shared a photo of us with the five balls. Those were two fantastic years, and we won practically everything,” recalls the former Brazilian winger.

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Lucho could follow in Jorge Costa's footsteps

Jorge Costa had returned to FC Porto under the guidance of André Villas-Boas, about a year ago, after Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa stepped down from the presidency. The former number 2 left his coaching career to take on the role of FC Porto's football director. Essentially, Jorge Costa was seen as a symbol of Porto's mystique, something very difficult to match today.

“I think his image… When people looked at him in the locker room, they saw the history. But sometimes, history is not enough to earn the players' respect. But besides the history of being a champion and captain, he had leadership and knowledge. He could convey that to the players and identify their problems. Inside a locker room, being precise is very important,” emphasizes Rubens Junior, who points to a member of Francesco Farioli’s technical team as a possible natural successor to that role.

“Jorge's profile was very important, just like Lucho [González] has. These profiles greatly help new players and those who have only been at the club for one or two years. With them, these players won't slack off in training and games. They are people who cannot be missing in the locker room,” concludes the former defender, who also wore the Vitória SC jersey in Portugal.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.