Image of Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa (Wikipedia)
By Newsroom with Agencies
Porto, Portugal – Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, the longest-serving and most decorated football club president in history, passed away on Saturday at the age of 87 after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer. A towering figure in Portuguese football, Pinto da Costa dedicated more than four decades of his life to Futebol Clube do Porto (FC Porto), shaping the club into a dominant force in European football.
The health of the former FC Porto president had been deteriorating over the past three years due to his illness. His last public appearance was in December, when he attended a match at Estádio do Dragão to witness FC Porto’s victory over Estrela da Amadora (2-0). Prior to that, he had presented his final book in October at a ceremony in Alfândega do Porto, attended by family, friends, and devoted fans.
A Farewell in Blue
Pinto da Costa’s final book, Azul até ao fim (Blue Until the End), was written as a farewell, inspired by his cancer diagnosis in September 2021. In the book, he shared his reflections, emotions, and the certainty that his time was coming to an end. For most of his battle, he kept his illness a secret from those closest to him.
He also outlined his wishes for his funeral, requesting a simple ceremony at the Church of Santo António das Antas, attended only by family, lifelong friends, and anonymous supporters of the club. He made a heartfelt plea for attendees to dress in blue, the color that defined his life.
In a surprising move, Pinto da Costa also specified individuals to be excluded from his funeral, including FC Porto’s current president André Villas-Boas, his board of directors, and former players who supported their campaign. Additionally, he instructed his family to reject any posthumous honors or awards in his name.
BREAKING:
Former FC Porto President Pinto da Costa has passed away at the age of 87 years old. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/npDs4NPLau
— Seleção Portuguesa (@PortugalTalks) February 15, 2025
A Legacy of Triumphs and Controversy
During his 42-year tenure as FC Porto president, Pinto da Costa led the club to an astonishing 69 major football titles and over 2,500 trophies across multiple sports disciplines. Under his leadership, FC Porto secured three UEFA trophies, including the UEFA Champions League title in 2004, and became a dominant force in Portuguese and European football.
Born in Porto in 1937, Pinto da Costa was known for his fiery passion and relentless ambition. He was both adored and criticized, often engaging in fierce rivalries with other football institutions. Despite his immense success, his final years were marked by a significant electoral defeat to André Villas-Boas, who won the FC Porto presidency with 80% of the vote. His departure from the club’s leadership on May 28, 2024, was bittersweet, as it followed FC Porto’s Portuguese Cup victory.
As one of the most influential figures in Portuguese football history, Pinto da Costa’s legacy will remain a defining chapter in the sport. Loved by many and disliked by some, his impact on FC Porto and the footballing world is undeniable.
His passing marks the end of an era for FC Porto and Portuguese football, but his achievements and contributions will endure forever in the annals of the game.
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