FC Porto confirmed on Tuesday that former captain and current director of football Jorge Costa died at the age of 53 after suffering a cardiac arrest at the club’s Olival training complex. Medical staff used a defibrillator before the ex-defender was taken to Hospital São João in Porto, where he died early in the afternoon. Costa, who had survived a heart attack in 2022, returned to the club’s front office last year when André Villas-Boas became president. His playing career spanned 1992-2005, during which he made almost 400 appearances for Porto, won eight Portuguese league titles and, as captain, lifted the 2004 UEFA Champions League trophy under José Mourinho. Nicknamed “O Animal” for his forceful style, the centre-back earned 50 caps for Portugal, featuring at Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup. After retiring in 2006 he coached sides in Portugal, Romania, India, Tunisia and Cyprus, claiming a Romanian league title with CFR Cluj. The Portuguese Football Federation hailed Costa as “one of the most distinguished players of his generation”, while Prime Minister Luís Montenegro said the former defender embodied dedication and leadership. FC Porto described him as “a symbol of the club” in its tribute.