Former footballer Paquito died on Tuesday at the age of 63 with Rio Ave, the club with which he started his career, Vitória de Guimarães and FC Porto, the club with which he won the national championship, and released condolences.
“The day started darker today with the sad news of the death of Francisco Saura. Victim of a long illness, our Paquito leaves us at the age of 63 after a life of dedication and commitment to Rio Ave FC, first as a player for our youth – and first team football, later as coach at the club for 17 years,” reads the note published on the social media of the Vila do Conde club.
Rio Ave FC in mourning for Paquito!
We are heartbroken by the news of the loss of a friend, partner, former player and coach of our Club. An irreparable loss for those who had the privilege of living with Francisco Saura.
ℹ Regret note: https://t.co/sJ7bGVZ22O#rioavefc pic.twitter.com/imwu2uDYd3
– Rio Ave FC (@RioAve_FC) December 12, 2023
The former attacking midfielder started his senior career with Rio Ave during the 1979/80 season and was assistant coach of the B team in the 1st Division of the Porto Football Association, having coached at youth level.
Rio Ave President Alexandrina Cruz praised “the passion and joy with which he educated and trained young people every day,” and “contributed decisively to their development.”
“No words are enough for the well-deserved and sincere tribute to our Paquito. I express my deepest condolences to his entire family, his friends, the entire Rio Vista family and especially the entire working group of our team B,” the leader emphasized , in the note published by the Vila-Condenses.
After three seasons with four goals in 47 official games for Rio Ave, Paquito moved to Vitória de Guimarães at the beginning of the 1982/83 season, a club for which he scored 15 goals in 97 games until the end of 1984/85. and made his debut in European competitions, in a win over English side Aston Villa (1-0), in the first leg of the first round of the 1983/84 UEFA Cup.
“Vitória Sport Clube deeply regrets the death of Francisco José da Costa Saura, better known as Paquito, at the age of 63, victim of a long illness. (…) Worrying for defenders and with a technical skill that made him decisive against goal, arrived in Guimarães to join the Victorian team in 1982/1983,” emphasizes the letter of condolence from the Minho club.
Paquito moved from Vitória to FC Porto in the transition to the 1985/86 season, in which he played seven games for the championship won by the Dragons and three for the then European Champions Cup, against Ajax, in the first round, either in his own country. (2-0 win), or in the Netherlands (0-0), and against FC Barcelona, in the second round, at Camp Nou (2-0 Portuguese defeat).
“FC Porto received with dismay the news of the death of Francisco José da Costa Saura, national champion in 1985/86, who has just passed away at the age of 63. (…) FC Porto offers its deepest condolences to the relatives” , the blue and whites regretted.
FC Porto received with dismay the news of the death of Francisco José da Costa Saura, national champion in 1985/86, who has just passed away at the age of 63.
FC Porto expresses its deepest condolences to the relatives.https://t.co/PneRLW06F9#FCPorto pic.twitter.com/8i6IJO52R4
– FC Porto (@FCPorto) December 12, 2023
Paquito also represented Marítimo, Varzim, Beira-Mar, Torreense and Vizela in his football career.
The former midfielder’s funeral will take place on Wednesday at 3:30 PM at the Igreja Matriz de Vila do Conde.
Source: DN
