The year 2024 was a real rollercoaster: a heavy defeat at the polls, the 69th title won in Jamor, in farewell to the presidency, and the titanic fight against oncological disease. Resilient, continues to follow FC Porto, whether cold, rain or shine
Pinto da Costa celebrates 87 years this Saturday. If you are present at Estádio do Dragão, in the derby against Boavista, you will certainly be greeted by thousands of Porto fans. It is the first anniversary outside the presidency of FC Porto, after 42 years of leadership in which it won 69 football titles.
A cycle of triumphs in the service of the blue and whites that made him, even in the eyes of those who did not vote for him in the April elections and in the eyes of his successor, André Villas-Boas, the “president of presidents.” The former top manager of FC Porto is battling terminal prostate cancer and recently underwent surgery for a fractured femur. Resilient, he who is honorary president of FC Porto and member 587, returned to the stadium to watch the team's games, but not in the presidential box. The shock with Villas-Boas' squad – which assumes aspects of extraordinary bipolarity, considering that the current president visited him in the hospital and even challenged him to accept a tribute while still alive – made him exchange the tribune for the box of his supporter João Rafael Kohler.
Less than a week after being discharged from hospital, the former Porto president is in Koehler's box watching the game with Mydtjylland
For all intents and purposes, 2024 was a year that marked the lives of Pinto da Costa and FC Porto. The year of absolute turning point, after a crushing defeat at the polls in the election for the Social Bodies of FC Porto, on April 27th. The most competitive vote in the history of the blue and whites culminated in the triumph of André Villas-Boas' project, which collected 21,489 votes, representing 80.3 percent of the total number of voters, against just 5,224 votes for Pinto da Costa.
Tribute to Pinto da Costa went down well within a club divided after the April elections. Handing over the Dragão de Ouro Carreira to former captain Pepe was also seen as a decision for the good of FC Porto
Fourth of six children of José Alexandrino Teixeira da Costa and Maria Elisa Pinto, Pinto da Costa was born in the parish of Cedofeita on December 28, 1937 and was elected president of FC Porto on April 17, 1982, with 95 percent of the votes. With Pinto da Costa in power, FC Porto became not only a national power, but also the most successful Portuguese club outside its borders, with two European Cups/Champions, two Intercontinentals, two UEFA Cups/Europa League and a European Super Cup. At national level, he won 23 championships, 22 Super Cups, 16 Portuguese Cups and one League Cup. The 20th Portuguese Cup won by FC Porto, in 2023/24, was Pinto da Costa's 69th and final trophy… With Villas-Boas also lifting the Cup. In his book «Azul À ao Fim», released in October, Pinto da Costa bitterly reported this episode of the Cup final, in Jamor: «I was surprised that the not yet elected president of SAD went to the pitch with his wife, children and future directors, as if the success was due to them. It could be said that they are ways of being! In fact, I didn’t like it.”
The handover was completed on May 28th, with André Villas-Boas assuming the leadership of SAD. Pinto da Costa said goodbye to the club's active life with the promise to continue supporting the teams in all sports, although his health limits longer trips. Even so, his presence at Dragão and Dragão Arena continues to be received with warm applause and affection.
Before becoming president, Pinto da Costa was already an active figure in the club, having worked in various sections, including roller hockey, field hockey and boxing, until taking over the football department in 1976. After being challenged by members in 1982, he began a journey that would culminate in 15 consecutive terms, marked by historic achievements.
AVB's challenge: has the word Pinto da Costa
It's a well-kept secret between Pinto da Costa and André Villas-Boas. During the Golden Dragons ceremony, the president of FC Porto revealed that he had visited his predecessor at the CUF Hospital, where he gave him a special challenge: to accept a tribute while still alive while enjoying his health. «The contagious joy of what FC Porto means to him and to us, and in the certainty that his work must be dignified, I launched him a challenge that I sincerely hope he accepts and the Porto fans too», said Villas-Boas, in a deeply moving speech that touched everyone present.
It was speculated that this tribute could, initially, coincide with Pinto da Costa's 87th birthday, given the symbolic relevance of the date. However, details about the initiative that Villas-Boas has in mind to immortalize the legacy of the former Porto leader are still unclear. What is certain is that the former president, known for his aversion to the idea of renaming the Estádio do Dragão – a project he himself designed – can be associated with another of his great works: the club's museum.
At the Golden Dragons Gala, he paid tribute to the former leader, opening the door for an initiative aimed at perpetuating his legacy in life; «I know you are seeing us right now and I want to send you a big hug and say that your energy and passion for life are also an example for us», he said, moved.
Pinto da Costa, already recovered from femur surgery, returned to Estádio do Dragão, but there was still no tacit rapprochement between the parties. See what happens today, because the date will be celebrated on derby night. Villas-Boas' deep respect for the legacy of the most titled leader in the world keeps his determination to fulfill this tribute alive.
