Diego Costa

COP11 · November 1, 2013

Diego da Silva Costa (born 7 October 1988) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for Atlético Madrid in La Liga, as a striker.

He never played professionally in his country, signing in 2007 with Atlético Madrid and being loaned to several teams also in Spain before returning three years later, becoming a key offensive figure.

On 5 March 2013, Costa was called up by Brazilian national team coach Luiz Felipe Scolari for friendlies with Italy in Genevaand Russia in London, both taking place late in that month. He made his debut in the first match, replacing Fred midway through the second half of the 2–2 draw.

In September 2013, the Royal Spanish Football Federation made an official request to FIFA for permission to call up Costa for the Spanish national team. He had been granted Spanish nationality earlier in the summer.

On 29 October 2013 Costa declared that he wished to play international football for Spain, sending a letter to the Brazilian Football Confederation. Following the news, Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari commented: "A Brazilian player who refuses to wear the shirt of the Brazilian national team and compete in a World Cup in your country is automatically withdrawn. He is turning his back on a dream of millions, to represent our national team, the five-time champions in a World Cup in Brazil."