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As Fenerbahce prepares to face Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, head coach Jose Mourinho faced an unexpected and emotional moment during a press conference. While discussing the upcoming match, the Portuguese manager was informed live on air about the death of his former player Jorge Costa, and could not hold back his tears.
Costa, who served as a central defender under Mourinho during their successful years at Porto, was described by the coach as not just a player, but a true leader and a key figure in his managerial journey.
“Jorge is part of my past, a significant part of my history,” Mourinho said, visibly shaken. “Sometimes you have leaders in your team, and he was exactly that. In my terms, he was the one who cleaned the trash – the guy who kept everything in order. For a coach, having someone like him is a blessing.”
Fighting through his emotions, Mourinho recalled knowing Costa’s family and reflected on the pain of the sudden loss:
“I know his children personally. I’m devastated. Right now, I cannot think about football. I can only think about him. If he could speak to me now, he would say, ‘Do your press conference, forget me, and focus on the game.’ So that is what I will do. I’ll do my job… I can cry later.”
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