The former President of Futebol Clube do Porto, Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, died today of an illness at the age of 86.  

Portuguese media reports that Pinto da Costa had been battling cancer for several years. His state of health has worsened in recent weeks.

During his career he was the most successful president in world soccer. He was in office for 42 years at FC Porto, between 1982 and 2024, totaling 15,344 days.

On social media, FC Porto announced his death and described him as the president of presidents. "An eternal inspiration. An immortal legacy. So long, President of Presidents".

The Portuguese Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, wrote on the social network X: "Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa was a unique personality in sports leadership, having been the most titled Club President in the world. On behalf of myself and the government, I express my deepest sympathy and solidarity with his family, friends and FC Porto."

He worked in various areas within the club, even before becoming president, and won several cups in soccer: the first European Champions Cup, on May 27, 1987 and May 26, 2004; a European Super Cup (1987); a UEFA Cup (2003); a Europa League (2011); in 1987 and 2004, FC Porto won the Intercontinental Cup. There have been 23 national championships.

Overall, Pinto da Costa left the club with more than 1,300 titles to his name.

The former president's last public event was the presentation of the book "Azul até ao fim", which revealed Pinto da Costa's wishes for his funeral ceremonies.

He asked for it to be simple, in the Church of Santo António das Antas, with the presence of his family, lifelong friends and anonymous supporters. He also appealed for people to wear blue.

Pinto da Costa left a list of people to be excluded from the ceremonies. These include André Villas-Boas and his board, as well as former players who supported the current president's candidacy.

He also asked the family to refuse any posthumous awards.

"Azul até ao Fim" (Blue to the End) was launched in October 2024, after he had left FC Porto, six months after the club members had denied him a 16th term in office. In it, he acknowledged for the first time that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, news of which he received in September 2021.