A Legacy of Unparalleled Success

FC Porto is grappling with the loss of one of its most iconic figures, Pinto da Costa, whose impact on the club is considered immeasurable. Paulo Teixeira, currently a member of the FC Porto Superior Council and a long-serving former vice-president, has spoken of the difficulty anyone will face in matching Pinto da Costa’s achievements.

“This proves a landmark year for FC Porto given that it saw the departure of the most titled president in the world, the one who brought the most joy to FC Porto’s members. He was one of those people we thought was immortal. It will be hard for anyone in Portuguese sports, not just at FC Porto, to reach the level of success he achieved,”

Paulo Teixeira

Transition and Adaptation at the Club

Teixeira acknowledged a transitional phase for the club following Pinto da Costa’s departure, recognizing the unique nature of his leadership. He emphasized the challenge of filling the void left by a president who served at the helm for over 40 years.

“FC Porto went through a transitional phase in 2024. Everyone knew that the day president Pinto da Costa stopped being the leader of this great club, things could and would be different, because we are talking about someone incomparable, no one else has been at the helm of a club for more than 40 years. We knew things would be different, there would always be a transition phase, and we hope that in the short/medium term FC Porto will regain success in football and then in other sports. But there is always an adaptation phase, a new board came in, a new administration.”

Paulo Teixeira

Response to Sporting’s Comments

Teixeira also addressed recent comments from Sporting regarding André Villas-Boas’ leadership, deeming them inappropriate and disrespectful to the memory of Pinto da Costa.

“To speak ill of someone who is no longer here is just too much, it shows a lack of civility and education that I would not expect from someone who mentioned the name of Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa.”

Paulo Teixeira

Teixeira further highlighted FC Porto’s consistent achievements and the club’s rich history, dismissing the comments as stemming from a desire to be at the top of the league.

“What is in the museum is also in the corridors, on the locker room walls. In the stadium itself there is a phrase that says ‘Winning since 1893.’ It’s a ‘fait-divers’ for those who would like to be leading the league right now, but are not, and I hope they won’t be.”

Paulo Teixeira

Looking Ahead

Despite the challenges, Teixeira remains optimistic about FC Porto’s future, expressing hope for a return to success both on and off the pitch.

FAQ

• Who was Pinto da Costa? He was the long-serving and highly successful president of FC Porto.
• What is Paulo Teixeira’s current role? He is a member of the FC Porto Superior Council.
• What was Teixeira’s response to Sporting’s comments? He deemed them inappropriate and disrespectful.

Did you recognize? Pinto da Costa led FC Porto for over 40 years, an unprecedented tenure in club football.