The FC Porto has confirmed this Saturday the passing at 87 years of age of Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, described as «the greatest figure in its history» for being a member of the Portuguese club for 71 years, spending over six decades in its governing bodies, and leading the institution for 42 years, which he «elevated like no other.»
«He leaves behind a unique legacy that fills the entire blue and white nation with pride,» stated the ‘dragões’ on their website. «Porto fans celebrated 2,591 victories during the 15,356 days of the longest and most successful presidency in history,» the official statement said.
«In the 89 years before Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa’s election, the club had only won 16 trophies—seven National Championships, four Portuguese Championships, four Portuguese Cups, and one Cândido de Oliveira Super Cup—three of them under the legendary director in charge of the Football Department,» summarized his achievements.
The press release then emphasized that «everything changed since then» as Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa «transformed the ‘andrades’ into ‘dragões’ and made Porto the Portuguese club with the most official titles.» Under his leadership, Porto won 23 Portuguese Leagues, 22 Portuguese Super Cups, 15 Portuguese Cups, one League Cup, two Intercontinental Cups, one European Cup, another Champions League, along with a UEFA Cup, Europa League, and UEFA Super Cup.
With him at the helm, according to the same press release, Porto «became European and world champions in several modalities and age categories, ten-time champions in roller hockey, seven-time champions in handball, six-time champions in billiards, five-time football champions, ended droughts lasting over three decades, expanded the capacity of Estadio das Antas, built the Dragão and added a museum and pavilion, renovated Campo da Constituição, and established partnerships that allow them to continue enjoying the Olival Training Center and Campanhã Swimming Complex.»
«In 1976, when Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa took over the Football Department, Porto had 52,000 members, 90% of whom were concentrated in the municipalities of Oporto, Gondomar, Maia, Matosinhos, Valongo, and Vila Nova de Gaia. Today, this number exceeds 147,000 and is spread across the four cardinal points of the planet,» the press release highlighted about the deceased leader.
«Between April 23, 1982, and May 7, 2024, the biggest club in the North became the best Portuguese club and grew from a local and regional level to a European and global scale. Without ever forgetting its roots, Porto grew with the city, and the city grew with Porto. The club has a history of more than 131 years, but there is a before and after Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa,» concluded the official statement.
FUENTE