Pinto da Costa, one year on from his passing | OneFootball

It is one year since FC Porto confirmed on their website at 20:35 on 15 February 2025 the death of Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa. He had prostate cancer and was 87.

Supporters created a memorial at gate 24 with his image and a pledge to fight for Porto around the clock. It grew into a blue and white garden of scarves, flags, shirts, flowers and messages, then was curated into a permanent space inside the Dragão that now forms part of stadium and museum tours.

His funeral cortege passed through the stadium, the coffin set on the centre spot and encircled by 17 major trophies won under his leadership. It was a profoundly emotional scene as tremors were felt in Lisbon at roughly the same time.

First sworn in on 23 April 1982, six days after being elected unopposed to succeed Américo de Sá, he served 42 years, or 15,356 days, across 15 straight terms. Porto won 2,594 titles in 21 sports, 69 in men’s senior football, including seven international.

In the first year without him, Porto won no football trophy. A disappointing Club World Cup ended the season and prompted another coaching change. Under Francesco Farioli hopes revived, then Jorge Costa’s death on 5 August 2025 brought fresh mourning.

At 00:42 today a drone show lit up the Estádio do Dragão in his honour. This afternoon the team will wear a special shirt with his image and 1937-2025, aiming to beat Nacional and dedicate the result to him.

Source: O Jogo