Kenya Coach Benni McCarthy Pays Emotional Tribute to Late FC Porto Legend Jorge Costa
- Benni McCarthy broke down in tears during a press conference as he paid tribute to his former FC Porto captain, Jorge Costa, who passed away from cardiac arrest
- McCarthy and Costa were part of FC Porto’s iconic 2004 Champions League-winning team, forming a close bond both on and off the pitch
- Jorge Costa, a Portuguese football legend and former FC Porto director, died on Tuesday, prompting emotional tributes from former teammates, including McCarthy
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy was brought to tears while paying tribute to his former FC Porto captain and teammate, Jorge Costa, who passed away on Tuesday due to cardiac arrest.
Source: Getty Images
The two were part of FC Porto’s legendary UEFA Champions League-winning squad of 2004. McCarthy, visibly emotional, broke down during a press conference ahead of Kenya’s upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) match against Angola tomorrow.
After pausing to compose himself, the former Bafana Bafana striker delivered a heartfelt message about Costa, his voice thick with emotion.
“My condolences to his family and the people that he loved. He was not just our captain, elder brother, the leader. The biggest thing we can take from all this sadness is to remember the good times we had. I remember when I joined Porto, he looked out for me. We shared so many unbelievable moments. Winning the Champions League...”
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Source: Getty Images
Who was Jorge Costa
Jorge Costa, a former FC Porto captain and a stalwart of the Portuguese national team, earned 50 caps for Portugal and was a central figure under José Mourinho during Porto’s 2004 glory years.
He also had a brief stint in the English Premier League with Charlton Athletic during the 2001–02 season. After retiring in 2006, Costa moved into coaching and managed 16 teams across several countries, including Romania, Cyprus, India, Tunisia, and Gabon.
Most recently, Costa had returned to FC Porto as director of football, continuing his strong ties with the club that defined much of his career.
His passing leaves a significant void in the football world, and McCarthy’s moving tribute serves as a reminder of the deep bond the two shared both on and off the pitch.
Benni had earlier taken to Instagram to share his condolences to Costa's family, attaching an image of them lifting the Champions League title in 2004, with another snap of Mourinho's memorable Porto side lifting the Intercontinental Cup.
"My condolences to the entire family of Jorge Nuno Costa. Rest in peace, my dear Captain," wrote Benni on IG, in a post translated from Portuguese.
On the field of play, McCarthy will be hoping to maintain his team’s perfect start to the tournament when they face Angola on Thursday night, having started with a 1-0 win over DR Congo on Sunday, but knows the COSAFA Cup winners present a different challenge
Benni McCarthy celebrates son's birthday
Briefly News previously reported that Kenyan football national team coach and Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy celebrated his son Lio Romeo as he turned six on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
The Harambee Stars coach is a proud father of five children—three with his first wife, Maria Jose-Santos, and two with his current partner, Stacey McCarthy.
Source: Briefly News
