Benni McCarthy Moved to Tears as He Mourns Shocking Death of FC Porto ‘Brother’

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy had a deeply emotional moment when he eulogised one of his former team-mates who died on Tuesday.

FC Porto legend Jorge Costa died on Tuesday at the club’s training centre following a cardiac arrest, leaving the football world in shock.

Costa is bonafide Porto legend who played at the club for 15 years, from 1990-2005, and captained the side, including during the 2003-04 season when the Portuguese giants, then coached by Jose Mourinho, won the treble of league, cup and UEFA Champions League.

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The defender played with a number of renowned players and McCarthy was one of them. The Harambee Stars coach had three fine years at Porto, between 2003 and 2006, and he spent the first two playing with the now deceased Costa, including the memorable 2004 season, when his goals helped Mourinho’s team to the treble.

While remembering his former team-mate, McCarthy broke down, eulogising Costa as one of the people who shaped his football career as he took him under his wings when he joined Porto.

“It was not an easy day yesterday [Tuesday]. The best we can say is to the family of Jorge, we hope they get the best support,” McCarthy told the media in Nairobi on Wednesday, ahead of his team’s CHAN 2024 match against Angola.

“We are in a group [of ex-Porto players] where we exchange stories. He was an elder bro and a leader. When things did not go as they were meant to be, he was there. We can take all the incredible moments we shared,” added McCarthy as he fought back tears.

“When I joined Porto, I was an unknown kid from Africa and he looked after me and I have great respect and admiration for him.”

Costa played 530 games for Porto, winning eight league titles during his 15-year spell at the club, while he won 50 caps for Portugal. He was serving as the club’s director of professional football when he passed away.

Mourinho also fought back tears on Tuesday as he remembered his former captain ahead of his team Fenerbahce’s Champions League clash with Feyenoord, promising to cry after the game.