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Wikipedia

Diego Costa

December 15, 2023

This article is about the Spanish footballer. For other people with similar names, see Diego Costa (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Diogo Costa.

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is da Silva and the second or paternal family name is Costa.

Diego da Silva Costa (Spanish: [ˈdjeɣo ða ˈsilβa ˈkosta], Portuguese: [ˈdʒjeɡu dɐ ˈsiwvɐ ˈkɔstɐ]; born 7 October 1988)[4][5] is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Botafogo.

Diego Costa
Costa with Atlético Madrid in 2019
Personal information
Full name Diego da Silva Costa[1]
Date of birth (1988-10-07) 7 October 1988 (age 35)[2]
Place of birth Lagarto, Brazil
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[3]
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Botafogo
Number 19
Youth career
2004–2006 Barcelona-SP
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006 Braga 0 (0)
2006 → Penafiel (loan) 13 (5)
2007–2009 Atlético Madrid 0 (0)
2007 → Braga (loan) 6 (0)
2007–2008 → Celta (loan) 30 (6)
2008–2009 → Albacete (loan) 35 (10)
2009–2010 Valladolid 34 (8)
2010–2014 Atlético Madrid 94 (43)
2012 → Rayo Vallecano (loan) 16 (10)
2014–2017 Chelsea 89 (52)
2018–2020 Atlético Madrid 61 (12)
2021–2022 Atlético Mineiro 15 (4)
2022–2023 Wolverhampton Wanderers 23 (1)
2023– Botafogo 12 (3)
International career
2013 Brazil 2 (0)
2014–2018 Spain 24 (10)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:29, 27 August 2023 (UTC)

Costa began his football career in his native Brazil before joining Braga in Portugal in 2006, aged 17. He never played for the club but spent time on loan at Penafiel, and signed with Atlético Madrid the following year. Over the next two seasons he had loan periods with Braga, Celta Vigo and Albacete. His form earned him a move to fellow La Liga club Real Valladolid in 2009, where he spent one season, finishing as their top goalscorer, before returning to Atlético Madrid. Costa struggled to maintain a regular starting role with Atlético, and spent more time on loan, this time at Rayo Vallecano, where he finished as the club's highest scorer that season.

In 2011 Costa returned to Atlético with a greater role. He blossomed as a goalscorer, and helped the team win a La Liga title, a Copa del Rey title, and a UEFA Super Cup. His performances attracted the attention of several big clubs, and in 2014 Costa was transferred to Premier League club Chelsea in a deal worth €35 million (£32 million). In London, Costa won three trophies, including two Premier League titles, and a League Cup. In 2018, following a rift with head coach Antonio Conte, Costa returned to Atlético Madrid in a club record transfer worth an initial €56 million,[note 1] where he won a UEFA Europa League title and another UEFA Super Cup.

Costa is a dual citizen of Brazil and Spain. He played twice for Brazil in 2013, before declaring his desire to represent Spain, having been granted Spanish citizenship in September that year. He made his debut for Spain in March 2014, and has since won 24 caps and scored 10 goals, and has represented them at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups.

Known for his fiery temperament, Costa has been criticised and punished for several confrontations with opponents.[6][7]

Early life

Costa was born in Lagarto, Sergipe, Brazil, to parents José de Jesus and Josileide.[8] His father named him in honour of Argentine footballer Diego Maradona despite the rivalry between the two nations, and he has an elder brother named Jair after Brazilian player Jairzinho.[8] Despite regularly playing street football, Costa did not believe as a child that he would turn professional, in part due to the remote location of his hometown.[8] He has since set up a football academy in his hometown, where he pays all the costs.[9] Costa is a fan of Palmeiras.[10]

Costa trialled unsuccessfully at his hometown team Atlético Clube Lagartense.[11] At age 15, he left Sergipe and moved to São Paulo, to work in the store of his uncle Jarminho.[8] Although he was never a professional, Jarminho had connections in football and recommended his nephew to Barcelona Esportivo Capela, a team from the south of the city set up as an alternative to drugs and gangs for youth of the favelas.[8] Before joining this team, he had never been coached in football.[8][12] He turned professional at the club, earning around £100 per month,[8] and competed in the under-18 Taça de São Paulo despite a four-month ban for slapping an opponent and dissent towards the referee. Although he was sent off in the first game of the tournament, he attracted the attention of renowned Portuguese agent Jorge Mendes, who offered him a contract at Braga. Costa's father was apprehensive of sending his son to Europe, and suggested he instead sign for nearby Associação Desportiva São Caetano, but he was adamant that he would take the opportunity.[13]

Jair played on the same team as Diego, and was a slimmer, more technically able player, but had less focus; the two were often not fielded at the same time in order to prevent arguments. He never turned professional, but had a three-month trial at Basque club Salvatierra.[13]

Club career

Early career

Costa signed for his first European club in February 2006, Portugal's Braga.[14] He initially struggled with loneliness and the comparatively cold weather of northern Portugal.[15] Out of action due to the club's lack of a youth team, he was loaned that summer to Penafiel in the second division,[16] managed by former Portugal international Rui Bento, who desired the "rough diamond".[17]

Through his negotiations with Spain's Atlético Madrid,[17] Mendes arranged Costa's transfer for €1.5 million and 50% of the player's rights in December 2006,[18] but he remained on loan at Braga until the end of the season. Atlético defeated interest from Porto and Recreativo de Huelva for Costa's signature, with director Jesús García Pitarch admitting that it was a risk to pay so much for an inexperienced player.[19] After 5 goals in 13 games for Penafiel, he was recalled to Braga in January 2007.[19] On 23 February, he came on in the 71st minute for Zé Carlos and scored his first goal for the team, a last-minute goal for a 1–0 win at Parma to advance 2–0 on aggregate to the Last 16 of the UEFA Cup.[4] His season ended after seven games due to a metatarsal injury which ruled him out for six months.[20]

Costa was presented by Atlético Madrid president Enrique Cerezo on 10 July 2007 as "the new Kaká".[21] While scout Javier Hernández wished for him to return to fitness in the club's reserves, García Pitarch instead suggested loaning Costa out immediately.[20] He made his debut on 11 August in the Ciudad de Vigo tournament against Celta de Vigo, replacing Simão at half-time in a penalty shootout victory.[22]

Celta Vigo

Later that month, Costa and Mario Suárez were loaned to Segunda División side Celta de Vigo for the season, and Costa became a regular in the team, managed by former Ballon d'Or winner Hristo Stoichkov.[23] In his seventh league match, he scored his first goal in Spanish football in a dominant home victory over Xerez; after scoring, he showboated, causing a brawl which resulted in him being sent off. Costa was subsequently rested from Celta's away game at the same opposition. The event drew the wrath of Stoichkov, who unexpectedly left his position.[24] Towards the middle of the season, he was involved in two further controversies: he struck Málaga defender Weligton in the head, causing an injury which required medical stitches, and was sent off against Sevilla Atlético for diving and dissent, leaving his team to fight for a draw without him.[25] The loyal strike partner of Quincy Owusu-Abeyie despite the pair not sharing a common language, he was dropped for Cypriot Ioannis Okkas.[25] On 23 March 2008, Costa scored both Celta goals in a 2–1 win at Numancia, the latter after a long dribble;[26] but later on in the campaign, he was sent off against Tenerife at Balaídos, after which Celta went from winning 2–0 to drawing 2–2.[27] The team barely avoided relegation, and Costa earned a reputation for being a disruptive influence.[28]

Albacete

Despite earning a poor reputation for his conduct, Costa attracted interest from Salamanca, Gimnàstic de Tarragona and Málaga after his loan at Celta; García Pitarch ruled out any approach from the latter, fearing how Costa would behave on the Costa del Sol.[29] After attending Atlético's pre-season tour of Mexico, he signed on loan for Albacete, also of Segunda División, on 22 August 2008, signing a contract which would have a lower fee depending on how many games he played.[30] He initially threatened to terminate his deal with the Castile-La Mancha team, on account of the quality of his teammates and the city's lack of a beach.[30] Nine days after signing, he scored a late winner in a 2–1 victory over Sevilla's reserves at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte.[31] The Queso Mecánico suffered with financial problems during Costa's loan, with him threatening to strike unless their non-playing staff were paid in full.[32] He was dropped to the bench by manager Juan Ignacio Martínez for the home game against Real Sociedad on 13 December as punishment for an argument with goalkeeper Jonathan, but came on as a substitute to score another late winner.[33]

Costa was known for misbehaviour on and off the pitch while at Albacete. He was sent off away to Tenerife, after which he slandered the referee's mother and confronted his opponents.[34] He pulled practical jokes on his teammates and employers, earning him the moniker "that fucking Brazilian".[35] However, he was a central figure as they avoided relegation, assisting twice in a 3–0 win at high-flying Rayo Vallecano on 2 May 2009, despite missing a penalty.[36]

Valladolid

 
Diego Costa next to Gerard Piqué during an away Real Valladolid fixture versus FC Barcelona in May 2010

In the summer of 2009, Costa was desired by Barcelona for their reserve team, an approach which Atlético rejected, citing that he remained in their plans.[37] Frustrated by his lack of opportunities, however, a now overweight Costa argued with his management and attempted to negotiate a move to Brazil's Esporte Clube Vitória.[38]

On 8 July 2009, Costa was sold to Real Valladolid as part of the deal that sent goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo in the opposite direction, with the transfer including a €1 million buy-back option that could be activated by Atlético at the end of the season.[39] García Pitarch confessed that there was a verbal agreement that Costa would definitely return at the end of the campaign, and that the deal had been made to look permanent in order to give Costa more commitment to his new club.[40]

Initially, Costa had competition up front from fellow new signings Alberto Bueno and Manucho, signed from Real Madrid and Manchester United respectively; he eventually forged a friendship with the latter, a fellow lusophone, from Angola.[41] He started strong for the Castile and León side, scoring 6 times in his first 12 games,[42] but only found the net once in the following five-and-a-half months as the campaign eventually ended in relegation from La Liga. He was sent off in a goalless draw against Espanyol on 24 March 2010 for a stamp on Dídac Vilà in the first half.[43]

Atlético Madrid

2010–13

 
Costa on loan at Rayo Vallecano, celebrating with the goalscorer, Alhassane Bangoura, in a match against Levante, on 19 February 2012

In June 2010, Costa returned to the Colchoneros, initially as a backup to Sergio Agüero and Diego Forlán – Atlético also paid an undisclosed sum to Braga to buy all the residual 30% economic rights (the former also had to pay in excess of €833,000 in agent's fees to Gestifute[44]). He was an unused substitute as Atlético won the 2010 UEFA Super Cup on 27 August.[5]

On 26 September, with the injured Agüero on the substitutes bench, Costa scored the game's only goal at home against Real Zaragoza.[45] On 3 April of the following year, already as a starter after manager Quique Sánchez Flores demoted Forlán from his position, Costa scored all of his team's goals in a 3–2 win at Osasuna.[46]

In July 2011, during Atlético's pre-season, Costa suffered a serious knee injury, going on to miss the majority of the season.[47] The injury prevented him from passing a medical at Turkish club Beşiktaş, having already agreed to transfer to them.[48] On 23 January 2012, Costa was loaned to fellow league club Rayo Vallecano until June;[49] he scored four goals in his first three appearances, including two in a 5–3 away win against Levante,[50] eventually finishing his loan spell with 10 goals from 16 games.

For the second time in his career, Costa was an unused substitute as Atlético won the UEFA Super Cup on 1 September 2012.[51] That December, Costa was involved in several on-field altercations in two separate matches. The first was in a 0–2 local derby loss against Real Madrid where he avoided disciplinary action after spitting incidents between him and Sergio Ramos.[52] He was sent off in the following game at Viktoria Plzeň in the UEFA Europa League for headbutting opponent David Limberský, and was handed a four-match ban by UEFA.[53][54] This, however, did not deter coach Diego Simeone from continuing to start him, and he responded by scoring three goals in two home contests, against Deportivo de La Coruña in the league (6–0)[55] and Getafe in the season's Copa del Rey (3–0).[56]

After the Copa del Rey semi-finals against Sevilla, Costa took his goal tally in the competition to seven in as many matches,[57] having scored three times in the tie. In the first leg he scored two penalties in a 2–1 win[58] and, in the second at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, scored one after an individual effort and assisted Radamel Falcao in the other, also being involved in incidents which resulted in two opposing players – Gary Medel and Geoffrey Kondogbia – being sent off in the 2–2 draw.[59]

Costa scored Atlético's equalising goal in the Copa del Rey final clash against city rivals Real Madrid on 17 May 2013,[60] contributing to the 2–1 triumph – the first in 25 games in a streak stretching back to 1999 – and the tenth win in the tournament, confirmed by Miranda's extra-time header.[61] He and opponent Cristiano Ronaldo had gone into the match as joint top scorers in the tournament,[57] and thus Costa's eighth goal made him the top scorer.

2013–14 season

 
Costa executing an overhead kick against Almería, on 14 September 2013

In August 2013, Costa was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, who allegedly matched his release clause of €25 million and offered him three times his salary at Atlético.[62] Costa, however, chose to stay at the club and renewed his contract until 2018, while also doubling his wages;[63] a few days after this, in the first match of the new season on 19 August, he scored a brace in a 3–1 win at Sevilla.[64]

On 24 September, Costa scored both goals in a 2–1 home triumph over Osasuna to help his team stay level on points with league leaders Barcelona through six games.[65] Four days later, in the Madrid derby, he scored the only goal of the game to record a second win over Real at the Santiago Bernabéu in under five months.[66] For his performances, he was crowned the inaugural La Liga Player of the Month for September 2013.[67] By his 25th birthday on 7 October, he had scored ten goals in eight league matches, equalling his tally from the previous season. All of those matches were won by Atlético, setting a new record for the best start to a season.[68] On 23 November 2013, Costa scored an overhead volley from a cross by Gabi in a win over Getafe; the goal was nominated for the FIFA Puskás Award.[69]

On 22 October 2013, Costa marked his UEFA Champions League debut with two goals against Austria Wien, the first coming after a fine individual effort in an eventual 3–0 group stage away win.[70] On 19 February 2014, in the first knockout round's first leg, he scored the game's only goal at Milan, scoring seven minutes from time after a corner kick from Gabi;[71] he added a further two in the second match, helping Atlético to a 4–1 victory that put them into the quarter-finals for the first time in 17 years.[72]

On 30 April 2014, Costa won and converted a penalty in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea, as Atlético won 3–1 at Stamford Bridge and advanced to the final of the competition for the first time since 1974.[73] He finished the league season with 27 league goals to become the third highest scorer,[74] and the team won the title for the first time since 1996, but he was substituted after 16 minutes of the last match of the season against Barcelona due to a hamstring injury.[75] Atlético sought to cure this injury before the upcoming Champions League final against Real Madrid by sending him to Belgrade for treatment with a horse placenta,[76] and he was included in the starting line-up for the decisive match. However, he left the pitch after eight minutes in an eventual 1–4 loss;[77] manager Diego Simeone later admitted a personal mistake in selecting the player to start the final despite his recent injury.[78] Costa scored eight goals during the Champions League campaign, equalling the record held by Vavá since 1959 for most in a season by an Atlético player, and in his entire career was in the top ten Atlético players by goal average.[79] At the season's LFP Awards, he was nominated for the league's Best Forward, losing out to Cristiano Ronaldo.[80]

Chelsea

Having completed his medical in June,[81][82] Chelsea announced on 1 July 2014 that they had agreed to meet the £32 million buy-out clause in Costa's contract.[83][84][85] On 15 July, Chelsea confirmed the completion of the signing of Costa, who signed a five-year contract on a salary of £150,000 a week.[86][87] On signing, Costa said, "I am very happy to sign for Chelsea. Everybody knows it is a big club in a very competitive league, and I am very excited to get started in England with a fantastic coach and team-mates. Having played against Chelsea last season I know the high quality of the squad I am joining".[86] Following the departure of former Chelsea striker Demba Ba, Costa inherited his number 19 shirt,[88] the same number he wore at the 2014 World Cup for Spain and previously at Atlético.

2014–15 season

Costa scored on his Chelsea debut on 27 July, running onto a through ball from Cesc Fàbregas in a 2–1 friendly win against Slovene club Olimpija.[89] His first competitive match was Chelsea's first game of the league season, away to Burnley on 18 August, scoring the team's equaliser in a 3–1 victory.[90] He scored in his third consecutive match on 30 August, the first and last goals of a 6–3 win at Everton, the first goal coming after 35 seconds.[91] Costa was given the Premier League Player of the Month award for August 2014.[92] He completed his first Premier League hat-trick in his fourth game of the season against Swansea City as Chelsea continued their perfect start to the season with a 4–2 win.[93] With seven, Costa holds the record for most goals in his first four Premier League matches, surpassing the tally of six by both Sergio Agüero and Micky Quinn.[94] In spite of his form at the start of the season, Costa had been suffering from a recurring hamstring problem which limited his participation in training; manager José Mourinho said that it would not heal until mid-November.[95]

 
Goalscorers Costa and John Terry celebrating Chelsea's victory in the 2015 Football League Cup Final

Costa scored his tenth goal of the league season to give Chelsea a 2–1 win away to Liverpool on 8 November, preserving their unbeaten start to the campaign.[96] In January, Costa was charged by the FA in relation to a stamp on Emre Can during Chelsea's win over Liverpool in the League Cup semi-finals, and was given a three-match ban.[97] Costa won his first trophy for Chelsea on 1 March, as they defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2–0 to win the League Cup at Wembley Stadium; he scored the second goal of the game.[98]

On 26 April, Costa was chosen of one of two forwards for the season's PFA Team of the Year, alongside Tottenham's Harry Kane. Five of Costa's Chelsea teammates were also in the selection.[99] Due to injury, he was due to miss the remainder of the season, in which Chelsea won the league title with a 1–0 home win over Crystal Palace on 3 May.[100] However, he featured in their last match of the season on the 24th, replacing the injured Didier Drogba after half an hour against Sunderland. Seven minutes later, he scored his 20th goal of the league campaign, an equalising penalty in an eventual 3–1 home win.[101]

With reports speculating that Costa wanting to leave Chelsea, Costa affirmed on 2 June 2015 after Chelsea's post-season tour that he had no desire to leave London, saying, "It's always a bit more difficult in the first season for adaptation, but I have no reason to leave this place, I love it, the fans love me, and I want to stay. It's really good to come in the first season [to Chelsea] and win two things [the Premier League and the League Cup titles]. Next year I'll be ready to come back and, hopefully, win a couple more trophies."[102]

2015–16 season

 
Diego Costa eyeballs Gabriel. The latter would be the recipient of a red card later rescinded, while the former was charged with violent conduct.

Due to injury, Costa missed the 2015 FA Community Shield, which Chelsea lost 1–0 to rivals Arsenal.[103] On 23 August, he scored his first goal of the campaign in a 2–3 win at West Bromwich Albion, which was Chelsea's first victory of the campaign, set up by international teammate Pedro.[104] He scored his first Champions League goal for the team on 16 September, a volley from a Cesc Fàbregas ball in a 4–0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv.[105]

Three days later, Costa was involved in controversy in a 2–0 home win over Arsenal; he repeatedly slapped Laurent Koscielny and chest-bumped him to the ground, and then confronted Gabriel, who allegedly tried to kick him and was sent off, though footage from ESPN Brazil later showed that little to no contact actually took place.[106] He escaped any punishment at the time. His conduct was deemed "disgusting" by visiting manager Arsène Wenger,[107] and teammate Kurt Zouma initially reacted by saying, "Diego likes to cheat a lot," but later clarified that he meant that "Diego is a player who puts pressure on his opponents".[6] As a consequence, on 21 September, he was charged with violent conduct by the FA.[108] and the following day he was given a three-match suspension.[109] Gabriel's red card was also rescinded, although he was given a one-match ban and £10,000 fine for improper conduct after failing to leave the pitch immediately. After this incident, the Daily Express wrote that Costa was "named as [the] Premier League's dirtiest player".[110]

 
Costa in action at the 2015–16 Champions League group stage match against Dynamo Kyiv in October 2015

After a 1–0 defeat at Stoke City on 7 November, a Britannia Stadium steward made an allegation of assault against Costa, which was resolved without further action.[111] Also that month, Costa was again involved in a skirmish with Liverpool's Martin Škrtel, where he appeared to dig his boot into the Slovak defender's chest, but escaped punishment by the FA.[112] On 29 November, Costa was an unused substitute in a match against Tottenham and threw his bib on the floor when Ruben Loftus-Cheek was sent on at his expense. Mourinho told the media that, "For me his behaviour is normal. A top player on the bench will not be happy."[113]

Costa, Oscar and Fàbregas were targeted by Chelsea supporters as the players whose poor form led to the dismissal of popular manager José Mourinho in December 2015.[114] Costa scored twice in the first game under interim replacement Guus Hiddink, a 2–2 home draw against Watford.[114] Costa, who played in a protective mask after breaking his nose in training, improved his form under the Dutchman, scoring seven times in his first eight games under the new management.[115]

On 12 March 2016, Costa received his first red card in a Chelsea shirt near the end their 2–0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Everton for confronting opponent Gareth Barry. Footage appeared to show Costa biting Barry during that confrontation after clashing heads. Earlier in the match, Costa appeared to spit in the direction of the referee after he was yellow carded for a clash with Barry.[116][117] Later, both Costa and Barry denied that the bite occurred.[118] Costa's two-match ban was extended to three, and he was fined £20,000.[119] On 2 May, as Chelsea drew 2–2 against Tottenham to deny them the title, Costa was gouged in the eyes by Mousa Dembélé during a mass brawl; the Belgian received a retrospective six-match ban.[120]

2016–17 season

 
Costa with manager Antonio Conte during the 2017 FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur

On 15 August 2016, Costa scored a late winner against West Ham United to give Chelsea a 2–1 win in their season opener.[121] During the match, he caught opposing goalkeeper Adrián with a late challenge when already on a yellow card, but did not receive a second yellow and went on to score the winner; Adrián stated after the match that he was fortunate not to be seriously injured.[122] On 15 October, he scored in a 3–0 over reigning Premier League champions Leicester City,[123] and on 20 November Costa became the first player to reach ten league goals for the season, with the only one of the game at Middlesbrough.[124] With two goals and two assists for league leaders Chelsea, he was voted Premier League Player of the Month for the second time in November 2016, with his manager Antonio Conte picking up the equivalent.[125]

In January 2017, Costa fell out with Conte and was dropped from the team, amidst interest from the Chinese Super League.[126] A potential move to Tianjin Quanjian F.C. was curtailed by the league limiting the number of foreign players in each team.[127] He returned to Chelsea's starting line-up on 22 January, opening a 2–0 win over Hull City, his 52nd goal on his 100th appearance.[128] Costa was Chelsea's top scorer with 20 goals as they regained the Premier League title.[129] On 27 May, he scored an equaliser in the 2017 FA Cup Final against Arsenal, a 2–1 loss.[130]

2017–18 season

"Hi Diego, I hope you are well. Thanks for the seasono [sic] we spent together. Good luck for the next year but you are not in my plan."

– Antonio Conte informing Costa by text in June 2017 that he would no longer be involved with Chelsea[131]

In June 2017, Costa was told by Conte that he was not part of his plans for the coming season and that he was free to move to another team via text message.[131] Although Costa was linked to potential moves to the likes of Milan, Monaco, and Everton, he stated that he would only be open to moving back to his former team Atlético Madrid. Costa attempted to find a legal solution through his lawyer in pushing for a move back to Madrid,[132] and said that Chelsea were treating him like a "criminal" by demanding a high transfer fee for his exit.[133] He was excluded from training with the first-team, but was named in the Premier League squad, yet left out of the Champions League squad.[134]

Return to Atlético Madrid

On 21 September 2017, Chelsea announced that Costa would return to Atlético at the start of the next transfer window in January 2018.[135][133] On 26 September 2017, it was announced that after passing medical tests Costa signed a contract with Atlético. He was registered and became eligible to play after 1 January 2018, due to a transfer ban imposed on Atlético.[136]

On 3 January 2018, he scored on his return game against Lleida Esportiu in the Copa del Rey round of 16, just five minutes after being substituted on for Ángel Correa in the 64th minute.[137] Three days later in his first league game back, he started in a 2–0 win over Getafe at the Wanda Metropolitano and scored the second goal. However, having already been cautioned for a stray elbow on Djene Dakonam, he was cautioned for a second time for charging into the stands to celebrate his goal, thus being sent off.[138] ESPN FC credited Costa as being a key element in Antoine Griezmann's return to form, opining that Costa's "physical presence at centre-forward has understandably distracted opposition defenders quite a lot. Griezmann has now taken up a roaming No. 10 role, with freedom to go where he feels best"; Atlético manager Diego Simeone namechecked three of Atlético's players in particular–Costa, Koke, and Filipe Luís–who had helped Griezmann perform.[139]

Costa scored the only goal of Atlético's 1–0 home win in over Arsenal in the second leg of the Europa League semi-finals, sending them into the 2018 UEFA Europa League Final 2–1 on aggregate.[140] He played in the final in Lyon, a 3–0 win over Olympique de Marseille.[141]

In Atlético's first match of 2018–19, the UEFA Super Cup at the Lilleküla Stadium in Estonia, Costa scored twice – including in the first 50 seconds – in a 4–2 win after extra time against Real Madrid.[142]

In April 2019, he was handed an 8-match ban for abusing a referee.[143] On 18 June 2020, Costa marked his 200th club appearance for Los Colchoneros when he started in a huge 5–0 away win against Osasuna.[144] Costa scored his fifth goal of the season in a 1–0 home victory against Real Betis to ensure his team a top four finish and qualification for next season's Champions League.[145] On 29 December 2020, Costa and Atlético agreed to terminate their contract, making Costa a free-agent.[146]

Atlético Mineiro

On 14 August 2021, Costa joined Brazilian club Atlético Mineiro, signing a deal until December 2022.[147] He scored on his debut on 29 August, coming off the bench in the second half and settling a 1–1 league draw to Red Bull Bragantino.[148] On 16 January 2022, after only playing 19 times and scoring 5 goals, Diego Costa terminated his contract and became a free agent.[149]

Wolverhampton Wanderers

On 12 September 2022, Costa joined Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers until the end of the 2022–23 season.[150][151] On 1 October 2022, Costa made his debut for the club, coming on in the 58th minute in a 2–0 league defeat to West Ham United at the London Stadium.[152] Costa made his 100th appearance in the Premier League, his 11th for Wolves, as a second-half substitute against Bournemouth at Molineux on 18 February 2023.[153] He suffered a knee injury in the first-half of Wolves's 1–0 home win against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on 4 March 2023 and was carried off the pitch on a stretcher.[154]

On 15 April, Costa scored his first goal for Wolves in a 2–0 home win against Brentford, his first goal in English football in nearly six years.[155]

On 3 June, Wolves announced that Costa was one of many players who would leave at the end of their contract.[156]

Botafogo

On 12 August 2023, Costa signed for Brazilian club Botafogo.[157]

International career

Brazil

On 5 March 2013, Costa was called up to the Brazil national team by head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari for friendlies with Italy in Geneva and Russia in London, both taking place late in that month.[158] He made his debut in the first match on 21 March, replacing Fred midway through the second half of the 2–2 draw.[159] Four days later at Stamford Bridge, he replaced Kaká for the last 12 minutes of a 1–1 draw with Russia.[160]

Request to change teams

In September 2013, the Royal Spanish Football Federation made an official request to FIFA for permission to call up Costa for the Spain national team.[161] He had been granted Spanish nationality in July.[162] FIFA regulations currently permit players with more than one nationality to represent a second country if, like Costa, he had only represented his first country in friendly matches.[161][163]

On 29 October 2013, Costa declared that he wished to play international football for Spain, sending a letter to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).[164] Following the news, 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."[165]

The CBF judicial director, Carlos Eugênio Lopes, said,

"It's obvious that the reason he made that choice was financial. The chairman [of the CBF, José Maria Marin] authorised me to open a legal action at the Justice Ministry requesting that he loses his Brazilian citizenship, which Diego Costa has rejected... The chairman told me that Costa has proved he's not fit to be part of the Scolari family, that he would contaminate the family because he's not committed to Brazil, but to Spain. He rejected his Brazilian citizenship. Marin has asked me to study the situation deeply in order to keep him from ever playing for Spain. He told me that, from now on, Costa is 'persona non grata' at the national team and that the players themselves wouldn't welcome him because of that episode".[166]

Spain

On 28 February 2014, Spain manager Vicente del Bosque included Costa in the squad for a friendly against Italy.[167] He finally made his debut on 5 March, playing the full 90 minutes at his club ground, the Vicente Calderón Stadium, as the hosts won 1–0.[168]

 
Costa and Russia's Sergei Ignashevich at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Costa was named in Spain's 30-man provisional squad for the 2014 World Cup,[169] as well as the final list which was named on 31 May.[170] He returned from the injury which had ended his club season by starting in a warm-up game against El Salvador, winning a penalty in a 2–0 victory.[171] In the first match of the tournament, against the Netherlands, he again won a penalty, conceded by Stefan de Vrij and converted by Xabi Alonso for a 1–0 lead but in an eventual 1–5 defeat;[172] he was booed by Brazilian fans during the match.[173] Costa then started in a 0–2 loss to Chile making little impact as he was substituted for Fernando Torres for the second consecutive match, and Spain were eliminated.[174] He was an unused substitute in the team's third match, a 3–0 defeat of Australia.[175]

Costa scored his first goal for Spain with the third in a 4–0 UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying win away to Luxembourg on 12 October 2014.[176] He did not feature again for Spain until 5 September 2015, when he was fouled by Slovakia goalkeeper Matúš Kozáčik for a penalty, which Andrés Iniesta converted for a 2–0 qualifying win at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere in Oviedo. He was booed when he was substituted for Paco Alcácer later in the match.[citation needed] Del Bosque defended Costa from criticism, saying that he performed well against the Slovak defence.[177] However, he was not included in the final squad for the tournament.[178]

On 5 September 2016, Costa scored his first international goals for nearly two years, in an 8–0 win over Liechtenstein at the Estadio Reino de León for Spain's opening match of 2018 World Cup qualification, the first being a header from a free-kick by his former Atlético teammate Koke.[179] In May 2018, Costa was called up to Spain's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[180] In their opening game on 15 June in Sochi, he scored his two first World Cup goals to help Spain secure a 3–3 draw against Portugal.[181] Five days later, he scored the winning goal of the match against Iran.[182]

Player profile

Style of play and reception

 
Costa in action for Atlético Madrid in 2013

Friends and family recalled how Costa's style of play changed little over time, with his father stating how as a child, Costa would be furious whenever his team lost.[183] Atlético scout Javier Hernández, on watching 17-year-old Costa play for Penafiel, was impressed by the young forward's determination and power, although found it evident that he was not observing a healthy lifestyle.[184] Costa's Penafiel manager Rui Bento, who was at Sporting CP when Cristiano Ronaldo broke into the team, rated Costa in the same calibre as the Portuguese winger.[184] According to Atlético director Jesús García Pitarch, Costa ranks as one of the best signings of his career, alongside Mohamed Sissoko, Miranda and Ricardo Oliveira.[185]

While on loan at Celta de Vigo, Costa drew comparisons to their former Egyptian striker Mido, who was also known for his temper.[186] During his spell at Albacete, Costa was nicknamed after bullfighter Curro Romero and the Tasmanian devil.[36] His manager Juan Ignacio Martínez conceded that Costa played as a model professional for 89 minutes per match, with only one minute per match being his downfall.[187] Costa refers to José Luis Mendilibar as his greatest manager because of his fatherlike "tough love", respecting his talents while keeping strict discipline, once sending Costa to work in a vineyard as a punishment.[188]

Earlier in his Atlético Madrid career, Costa's physical play was used in support of Radamel Falcao, thus ensuring a lower goalscoring rate. After Falcao was sold in 2013, the attack was restructured around Costa by manager Diego Simeone. Simeone, who like Costa was known for his competitiveness and aggression, found ways to enhance his discipline while retaining his determination.[94] In 2014, his club teammate Diego Godín described Costa as the team's "heartbeat", commenting that he "gives us everything," also adding: "Sometimes things aren't going well and he is able to open up the game with his strength and technique." Nick Dorrington of Bleacher Report described him as a "battering ram of a striker: Strong, quick and tireless in his pursuit of the ball," while the club's manager Simeone lauded his work-rate as being "contagious".[189]

Ahead of his competitive debut for Chelsea in August 2014, BBC Sport pundit Robbie Savage described Costa as "the missing piece in the jigsaw" for the "clear favourites" who "could end up winning the title by five or six points". He explained that Chelsea's defence was already the strongest in the league, but a poorer rate of shot-to-goal conversion had cost them the title. He praised Costa's stature and physical style of play which "suits the Premier League down to the ground" in the same role that Didier Drogba previously played at Chelsea,[190] an opinion also voiced by the league's top scorer of all-time, Alan Shearer.[191] Costa has also been attributed with a greater ability to keep possession of the ball than any Chelsea striker since Drogba first left the club in 2012.[192] That same year, Henry Winter of The Telegraph noted that Costa "...has the technique, the strength and the burst of acceleration to destroy defences."[193]

Costa's size, technique, and strength, coupled with his link-up play and ability to hold up the ball with his back to goal allow him to be an effective target-man;[194][195][196][197] moreover, his constant movement and powerful running in the centre-forward role allows him to distract opponents and in turn create space for teammates.[139][198][199] Although he was initially known to be inconsistent in the earlier part of his career, due to his low goalscoring rate, he later established himself as a good finisher as his career progressed, which along with his composure in front of goal and ability inside the penalty box, made him a prolific goalscorer,[194][200][201][202][203] and even saw him regarded by several pundits and managers as one of the best strikers in the world at his peak.[204][205] In 2018, Simeone lauded Costa for the "enthusiasm" and "aggression" he brings to Atlético Madrid, as well as his "speed, decisiveness, and physical strength."[206]

Discipline and controversies

 
Costa and Martin Škrtel have had several notable clashes.

Costa has been the source of much controversy in his career due to confrontations with opponents, and has received multiple violent conduct charges from The Football Association of England.[207][6] Opposing managers have also opined that Costa himself intends to provoke his opponents.[7] Danny Murphy of Match of the Day has stated that Costa is targeted by players who "wind him up," but he "remains calm", and is justified to taunt opponents who taunt him.[208] Pat Nevin, a former Chelsea winger, believes that Costa's style of play is likely to cause himself "a few injuries".[191] In August 2014, he was criticised by Everton manager Roberto Martínez for taunting Everton's Séamus Coleman following his own goal, and stated Costa needed "to understand the ethics" of the Premier League.[7] In October 2014, he clashed with Slovakia's Martin Škrtel in a Euro 2016 qualifier.[209]

In January 2015, following two stamp incidents involving Costa and Liverpool players for which Costa received a three-match ban by the FA, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers stated that he thought Costa had fouled his players when "he could easily have hurdled over the player" and "there's no need to do it".[210] Costa described his style of play as "strong but noble", and refuted allegations that he deliberately aims to injure opponents.[211]

In late 2015, Costa was the subject of scrutiny for his comparatively poor start to his second season at Chelsea and his low scoring rate for Spain.[177] French newspaper L'Equipe named Costa as the most hated footballer in December 2015, based on his provocative and violent behaviour.[212]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 23 November 2023[213]
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Penafiel (loan) 2006–07 Liga de Honra 13 5 1 0 — — — 14 5
Braga (loan) 2006–07 Primeira Liga 6 0 1 0 — 2[c] 1 — 9 1
Celta Vigo (loan) 2007–08 Segunda División 30 6 1 0 — — — 31 6
Albacete (loan) 2008–09 Segunda División 35 10 1 0 — — — 36 10
Valladolid 2009–10 La Liga 34 8 2 1 — — — 36 9
Atlético Madrid 2010–11 La Liga 28 6 5 1 — 6[d] 1 — 39 8
2012–13 La Liga 31 10 8 8 — 5[d] 2 — 44 20
2013–14 La Liga 35 27 6 1 — 9[e] 8 2[f] 0 52 36
Total 94 43 19 10 — 20 11 2 0 135 64
Rayo Vallecano (loan) 2011–12 La Liga 16 10 0 0 — — — 16 10
Chelsea 2014–15 Premier League 26 20 1 0 3 1 7[e] 0 — 37 21
2015–16 Premier League 28 12 4 2 1 0 8[e] 2 — 41 16
2016–17 Premier League 35 20 5 2 2 0 — — 42 22
2017-18 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 89 52 10 4 6 1 15 2 — 120 59
Atlético Madrid 2017–18 La Liga 15 3 3 2 — 5[d] 2 — 23 7
2018–19 La Liga 16 2 0 0 — 4[e] 1 1[g] 2 21 5
2019–20 La Liga 23 5 0 0 — 7[e] 0 0 0 30 5
2020–21 La Liga 7 2 0 0 — 0 0 — 7 2
Total 61 12 3 2 — 16 3 1 2 81 19
Atlético Madrid total 155 55 22 12 — 36 14 3 2 216 83
Atlético Mineiro 2021 Série A 15 4 3 1 — 1[h] 0 — 19 5
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2022–23 Premier League 23 1 1 0 1 0 — — 25 1
Botafogo 2023 Série A 12 3 0 0 0 0 2[i] 0 0 0 14 3
Career total 428 154 42 18 7 1 56 17 3 2 534 192
  1. ^ Includes Taça de Portugal, Copa del Rey, FA Cup, Copa do Brasil
  2. ^ Includes Football League Cup/EFL Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Cup
  4. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ a b c d e Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  6. ^ Appearances in Supercopa de España
  7. ^ Appearance in UEFA Super Cup
  8. ^ Appearance in Copa Libertadores
  9. ^ Appearances in Copa Sudamericana

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year

As of match played 1 July 2018[214]
National team Year Apps Goals
Brazil
2013 2 0
Total 2 0
Spain
2014 7 1
2015 3 0
2016 4 3
2017 2 2
2018 8 4
Total 24 10
Career total 26 10
As of match played 20 June 2018. Spain score listed first, score column indicates score after each Costa goal.[214][215]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 12 October 2014 Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg 7   Luxembourg 3–0 4–0 UEFA Euro 2016 qualification
2 5 September 2016 Estadio Reino de León, León, Spain 12   Liechtenstein 1–0 8–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
3 5–0
4 9 October 2016 Loro Boriçi Stadium, Shkodër, Albania 14   Albania 1–0 2–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
5 24 March 2017 El Molinón, Gijón, Spain 15   Israel 3–0 4–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
6 11 June 2017 Philip II Arena, Skopje, Macedonia 16   Macedonia 2–0 2–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
7 27 March 2018 Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain 18   Argentina 1–0 6–1 Friendly
8 15 June 2018 Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi, Russia 21   Portugal 1–1 3–3 2018 FIFA World Cup
9 2–2
10 20 June 2018 Kazan Arena, Kazan, Russia 22   Iran 1–0 1–0 2018 FIFA World Cup

Honours

 
Chelsea supporters' banner in honour of Costa, November 2014

Atlético Madrid

Chelsea

Atlético Mineiro

Individual

Records

See also

References

General

  • Guillén, Fran (2015), The Art of War, Arena Sport, ISBN 978-1-909715-29-5.

Notes

  1. ^ Costa's transfer equates to €65 million when performance-related add-ons are included. His title as club record transfer was surpassed later that summer, when Thomas Lemar joined for €60 million.

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External links

 
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December 15, 2023
diego, costa, this, article, about, spanish, footballer, other, people, with, similar, names, disambiguation, confused, with, diogo, costa, this, portuguese, name, first, maternal, family, name, silva, second, paternal, family, name, costa, diego, silva, costa. This article is about the Spanish footballer For other people with similar names see Diego Costa disambiguation Not to be confused with Diogo Costa In this Portuguese name the first or maternal family name is da Silva and the second or paternal family name is Costa Diego da Silva Costa Spanish ˈdjeɣo da ˈsilba ˈkosta Portuguese ˈdʒjeɡu dɐ ˈsiwvɐ ˈkɔstɐ born 7 October 1988 4 5 is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A club Botafogo Diego CostaCosta with Atletico Madrid in 2019Personal informationFull nameDiego da Silva Costa 1 Date of birth 1988 10 07 7 October 1988 age 35 2 Place of birthLagarto BrazilHeight1 86 m 6 ft 1 in 3 Position s StrikerTeam informationCurrent teamBotafogoNumber19Youth career2004 2006Barcelona SPSenior career YearsTeamApps Gls 2006Braga0 0 2006 Penafiel loan 13 5 2007 2009Atletico Madrid0 0 2007 Braga loan 6 0 2007 2008 Celta loan 30 6 2008 2009 Albacete loan 35 10 2009 2010Valladolid34 8 2010 2014Atletico Madrid94 43 2012 Rayo Vallecano loan 16 10 2014 2017Chelsea89 52 2018 2020Atletico Madrid61 12 2021 2022Atletico Mineiro15 4 2022 2023Wolverhampton Wanderers23 1 2023 Botafogo12 3 International career2013Brazil2 0 2014 2018Spain24 10 Club domestic league appearances and goals correct as of 23 29 27 August 2023 UTC Costa began his football career in his native Brazil before joining Braga in Portugal in 2006 aged 17 He never played for the club but spent time on loan at Penafiel and signed with Atletico Madrid the following year Over the next two seasons he had loan periods with Braga Celta Vigo and Albacete His form earned him a move to fellow La Liga club Real Valladolid in 2009 where he spent one season finishing as their top goalscorer before returning to Atletico Madrid Costa struggled to maintain a regular starting role with Atletico and spent more time on loan this time at Rayo Vallecano where he finished as the club s highest scorer that season In 2011 Costa returned to Atletico with a greater role He blossomed as a goalscorer and helped the team win a La Liga title a Copa del Rey title and a UEFA Super Cup His performances attracted the attention of several big clubs and in 2014 Costa was transferred to Premier League club Chelsea in a deal worth 35 million 32 million In London Costa won three trophies including two Premier League titles and a League Cup In 2018 following a rift with head coach Antonio Conte Costa returned to Atletico Madrid in a club record transfer worth an initial 56 million note 1 where he won a UEFA Europa League title and another UEFA Super Cup Costa is a dual citizen of Brazil and Spain He played twice for Brazil in 2013 before declaring his desire to represent Spain having been granted Spanish citizenship in September that year He made his debut for Spain in March 2014 and has since won 24 caps and scored 10 goals and has represented them at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups Known for his fiery temperament Costa has been criticised and punished for several confrontations with opponents 6 7 Contents 1 Early life 2 Club career 2 1 Early career 2 2 Celta Vigo 2 3 Albacete 2 4 Valladolid 2 5 Atletico Madrid 2 5 1 2010 13 2 5 2 2013 14 season 2 6 Chelsea 2 6 1 2014 15 season 2 6 2 2015 16 season 2 6 3 2016 17 season 2 6 4 2017 18 season 2 7 Return to Atletico Madrid 2 8 Atletico Mineiro 2 9 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 10 Botafogo 3 International career 3 1 Brazil 3 2 Request to change teams 3 3 Spain 4 Player profile 4 1 Style of play and reception 4 2 Discipline and controversies 5 Career statistics 5 1 Club 5 2 International 6 Honours 7 See also 8 References 9 Notes 10 References 11 External linksEarly lifeCosta was born in Lagarto Sergipe Brazil to parents Jose de Jesus and Josileide 8 His father named him in honour of Argentine footballer Diego Maradona despite the rivalry between the two nations and he has an elder brother named Jair after Brazilian player Jairzinho 8 Despite regularly playing street football Costa did not believe as a child that he would turn professional in part due to the remote location of his hometown 8 He has since set up a football academy in his hometown where he pays all the costs 9 Costa is a fan of Palmeiras 10 Costa trialled unsuccessfully at his hometown team Atletico Clube Lagartense 11 At age 15 he left Sergipe and moved to Sao Paulo to work in the store of his uncle Jarminho 8 Although he was never a professional Jarminho had connections in football and recommended his nephew to Barcelona Esportivo Capela a team from the south of the city set up as an alternative to drugs and gangs for youth of the favelas 8 Before joining this team he had never been coached in football 8 12 He turned professional at the club earning around 100 per month 8 and competed in the under 18 Taca de Sao Paulo despite a four month ban for slapping an opponent and dissent towards the referee Although he was sent off in the first game of the tournament he attracted the attention of renowned Portuguese agent Jorge Mendes who offered him a contract at Braga Costa s father was apprehensive of sending his son to Europe and suggested he instead sign for nearby Associacao Desportiva Sao Caetano but he was adamant that he would take the opportunity 13 Jair played on the same team as Diego and was a slimmer more technically able player but had less focus the two were often not fielded at the same time in order to prevent arguments He never turned professional but had a three month trial at Basque club Salvatierra 13 Club careerEarly career Costa signed for his first European club in February 2006 Portugal s Braga 14 He initially struggled with loneliness and the comparatively cold weather of northern Portugal 15 Out of action due to the club s lack of a youth team he was loaned that summer to Penafiel in the second division 16 managed by former Portugal international Rui Bento who desired the rough diamond 17 Through his negotiations with Spain s Atletico Madrid 17 Mendes arranged Costa s transfer for 1 5 million and 50 of the player s rights in December 2006 18 but he remained on loan at Braga until the end of the season Atletico defeated interest from Porto and Recreativo de Huelva for Costa s signature with director Jesus Garcia Pitarch admitting that it was a risk to pay so much for an inexperienced player 19 After 5 goals in 13 games for Penafiel he was recalled to Braga in January 2007 19 On 23 February he came on in the 71st minute for Ze Carlos and scored his first goal for the team a last minute goal for a 1 0 win at Parma to advance 2 0 on aggregate to the Last 16 of the UEFA Cup 4 His season ended after seven games due to a metatarsal injury which ruled him out for six months 20 Costa was presented by Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo on 10 July 2007 as the new Kaka 21 While scout Javier Hernandez wished for him to return to fitness in the club s reserves Garcia Pitarch instead suggested loaning Costa out immediately 20 He made his debut on 11 August in the Ciudad de Vigo tournament against Celta de Vigo replacing Simao at half time in a penalty shootout victory 22 Celta Vigo Later that month Costa and Mario Suarez were loaned to Segunda Division side Celta de Vigo for the season and Costa became a regular in the team managed by former Ballon d Or winner Hristo Stoichkov 23 In his seventh league match he scored his first goal in Spanish football in a dominant home victory over Xerez after scoring he showboated causing a brawl which resulted in him being sent off Costa was subsequently rested from Celta s away game at the same opposition The event drew the wrath of Stoichkov who unexpectedly left his position 24 Towards the middle of the season he was involved in two further controversies he struck Malaga defender Weligton in the head causing an injury which required medical stitches and was sent off against Sevilla Atletico for diving and dissent leaving his team to fight for a draw without him 25 The loyal strike partner of Quincy Owusu Abeyie despite the pair not sharing a common language he was dropped for Cypriot Ioannis Okkas 25 On 23 March 2008 Costa scored both Celta goals in a 2 1 win at Numancia the latter after a long dribble 26 but later on in the campaign he was sent off against Tenerife at Balaidos after which Celta went from winning 2 0 to drawing 2 2 27 The team barely avoided relegation and Costa earned a reputation for being a disruptive influence 28 Albacete Despite earning a poor reputation for his conduct Costa attracted interest from Salamanca Gimnastic de Tarragona and Malaga after his loan at Celta Garcia Pitarch ruled out any approach from the latter fearing how Costa would behave on the Costa del Sol 29 After attending Atletico s pre season tour of Mexico he signed on loan for Albacete also of Segunda Division on 22 August 2008 signing a contract which would have a lower fee depending on how many games he played 30 He initially threatened to terminate his deal with the Castile La Mancha team on account of the quality of his teammates and the city s lack of a beach 30 Nine days after signing he scored a late winner in a 2 1 victory over Sevilla s reserves at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte 31 The Queso Mecanico suffered with financial problems during Costa s loan with him threatening to strike unless their non playing staff were paid in full 32 He was dropped to the bench by manager Juan Ignacio Martinez for the home game against Real Sociedad on 13 December as punishment for an argument with goalkeeper Jonathan but came on as a substitute to score another late winner 33 Costa was known for misbehaviour on and off the pitch while at Albacete He was sent off away to Tenerife after which he slandered the referee s mother and confronted his opponents 34 He pulled practical jokes on his teammates and employers earning him the moniker that fucking Brazilian 35 However he was a central figure as they avoided relegation assisting twice in a 3 0 win at high flying Rayo Vallecano on 2 May 2009 despite missing a penalty 36 Valladolid nbsp Diego Costa next to Gerard Pique during an away Real Valladolid fixture versus FC Barcelona in May 2010In the summer of 2009 Costa was desired by Barcelona for their reserve team an approach which Atletico rejected citing that he remained in their plans 37 Frustrated by his lack of opportunities however a now overweight Costa argued with his management and attempted to negotiate a move to Brazil s Esporte Clube Vitoria 38 On 8 July 2009 Costa was sold to Real Valladolid as part of the deal that sent goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo in the opposite direction with the transfer including a 1 million buy back option that could be activated by Atletico at the end of the season 39 Garcia Pitarch confessed that there was a verbal agreement that Costa would definitely return at the end of the campaign and that the deal had been made to look permanent in order to give Costa more commitment to his new club 40 Initially Costa had competition up front from fellow new signings Alberto Bueno and Manucho signed from Real Madrid and Manchester United respectively he eventually forged a friendship with the latter a fellow lusophone from Angola 41 He started strong for the Castile and Leon side scoring 6 times in his first 12 games 42 but only found the net once in the following five and a half months as the campaign eventually ended in relegation from La Liga He was sent off in a goalless draw against Espanyol on 24 March 2010 for a stamp on Didac Vila in the first half 43 Atletico Madrid 2010 13 nbsp Costa on loan at Rayo Vallecano celebrating with the goalscorer Alhassane Bangoura in a match against Levante on 19 February 2012In June 2010 Costa returned to the Colchoneros initially as a backup to Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan Atletico also paid an undisclosed sum to Braga to buy all the residual 30 economic rights the former also had to pay in excess of 833 000 in agent s fees to Gestifute 44 He was an unused substitute as Atletico won the 2010 UEFA Super Cup on 27 August 5 On 26 September with the injured Aguero on the substitutes bench Costa scored the game s only goal at home against Real Zaragoza 45 On 3 April of the following year already as a starter after manager Quique Sanchez Flores demoted Forlan from his position Costa scored all of his team s goals in a 3 2 win at Osasuna 46 In July 2011 during Atletico s pre season Costa suffered a serious knee injury going on to miss the majority of the season 47 The injury prevented him from passing a medical at Turkish club Besiktas having already agreed to transfer to them 48 On 23 January 2012 Costa was loaned to fellow league club Rayo Vallecano until June 49 he scored four goals in his first three appearances including two in a 5 3 away win against Levante 50 eventually finishing his loan spell with 10 goals from 16 games For the second time in his career Costa was an unused substitute as Atletico won the UEFA Super Cup on 1 September 2012 51 That December Costa was involved in several on field altercations in two separate matches The first was in a 0 2 local derby loss against Real Madrid where he avoided disciplinary action after spitting incidents between him and Sergio Ramos 52 He was sent off in the following game at Viktoria Plzen in the UEFA Europa League for headbutting opponent David Limbersky and was handed a four match ban by UEFA 53 54 This however did not deter coach Diego Simeone from continuing to start him and he responded by scoring three goals in two home contests against Deportivo de La Coruna in the league 6 0 55 and Getafe in the season s Copa del Rey 3 0 56 After the Copa del Rey semi finals against Sevilla Costa took his goal tally in the competition to seven in as many matches 57 having scored three times in the tie In the first leg he scored two penalties in a 2 1 win 58 and in the second at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan scored one after an individual effort and assisted Radamel Falcao in the other also being involved in incidents which resulted in two opposing players Gary Medel and Geoffrey Kondogbia being sent off in the 2 2 draw 59 Costa scored Atletico s equalising goal in the Copa del Rey final clash against city rivals Real Madrid on 17 May 2013 60 contributing to the 2 1 triumph the first in 25 games in a streak stretching back to 1999 and the tenth win in the tournament confirmed by Miranda s extra time header 61 He and opponent Cristiano Ronaldo had gone into the match as joint top scorers in the tournament 57 and thus Costa s eighth goal made him the top scorer 2013 14 season nbsp Costa executing an overhead kick against Almeria on 14 September 2013In August 2013 Costa was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool who allegedly matched his release clause of 25 million and offered him three times his salary at Atletico 62 Costa however chose to stay at the club and renewed his contract until 2018 while also doubling his wages 63 a few days after this in the first match of the new season on 19 August he scored a brace in a 3 1 win at Sevilla 64 On 24 September Costa scored both goals in a 2 1 home triumph over Osasuna to help his team stay level on points with league leaders Barcelona through six games 65 Four days later in the Madrid derby he scored the only goal of the game to record a second win over Real at the Santiago Bernabeu in under five months 66 For his performances he was crowned the inaugural La Liga Player of the Month for September 2013 67 By his 25th birthday on 7 October he had scored ten goals in eight league matches equalling his tally from the previous season All of those matches were won by Atletico setting a new record for the best start to a season 68 On 23 November 2013 Costa scored an overhead volley from a cross by Gabi in a win over Getafe the goal was nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award 69 On 22 October 2013 Costa marked his UEFA Champions League debut with two goals against Austria Wien the first coming after a fine individual effort in an eventual 3 0 group stage away win 70 On 19 February 2014 in the first knockout round s first leg he scored the game s only goal at Milan scoring seven minutes from time after a corner kick from Gabi 71 he added a further two in the second match helping Atletico to a 4 1 victory that put them into the quarter finals for the first time in 17 years 72 On 30 April 2014 Costa won and converted a penalty in the second leg of the Champions League semi final against Chelsea as Atletico won 3 1 at Stamford Bridge and advanced to the final of the competition for the first time since 1974 73 He finished the league season with 27 league goals to become the third highest scorer 74 and the team won the title for the first time since 1996 but he was substituted after 16 minutes of the last match of the season against Barcelona due to a hamstring injury 75 Atletico sought to cure this injury before the upcoming Champions League final against Real Madrid by sending him to Belgrade for treatment with a horse placenta 76 and he was included in the starting line up for the decisive match However he left the pitch after eight minutes in an eventual 1 4 loss 77 manager Diego Simeone later admitted a personal mistake in selecting the player to start the final despite his recent injury 78 Costa scored eight goals during the Champions League campaign equalling the record held by Vava since 1959 for most in a season by an Atletico player and in his entire career was in the top ten Atletico players by goal average 79 At the season s LFP Awards he was nominated for the league s Best Forward losing out to Cristiano Ronaldo 80 Chelsea Having completed his medical in June 81 82 Chelsea announced on 1 July 2014 that they had agreed to meet the 32 million buy out clause in Costa s contract 83 84 85 On 15 July Chelsea confirmed the completion of the signing of Costa who signed a five year contract on a salary of 150 000 a week 86 87 On signing Costa said I am very happy to sign for Chelsea Everybody knows it is a big club in a very competitive league and I am very excited to get started in England with a fantastic coach and team mates Having played against Chelsea last season I know the high quality of the squad I am joining 86 Following the departure of former Chelsea striker Demba Ba Costa inherited his number 19 shirt 88 the same number he wore at the 2014 World Cup for Spain and previously at Atletico 2014 15 season Costa scored on his Chelsea debut on 27 July running onto a through ball from Cesc Fabregas in a 2 1 friendly win against Slovene club Olimpija 89 His first competitive match was Chelsea s first game of the league season away to Burnley on 18 August scoring the team s equaliser in a 3 1 victory 90 He scored in his third consecutive match on 30 August the first and last goals of a 6 3 win at Everton the first goal coming after 35 seconds 91 Costa was given the Premier League Player of the Month award for August 2014 92 He completed his first Premier League hat trick in his fourth game of the season against Swansea City as Chelsea continued their perfect start to the season with a 4 2 win 93 With seven Costa holds the record for most goals in his first four Premier League matches surpassing the tally of six by both Sergio Aguero and Micky Quinn 94 In spite of his form at the start of the season Costa had been suffering from a recurring hamstring problem which limited his participation in training manager Jose Mourinho said that it would not heal until mid November 95 nbsp Goalscorers Costa and John Terry celebrating Chelsea s victory in the 2015 Football League Cup FinalCosta scored his tenth goal of the league season to give Chelsea a 2 1 win away to Liverpool on 8 November preserving their unbeaten start to the campaign 96 In January Costa was charged by the FA in relation to a stamp on Emre Can during Chelsea s win over Liverpool in the League Cup semi finals and was given a three match ban 97 Costa won his first trophy for Chelsea on 1 March as they defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2 0 to win the League Cup at Wembley Stadium he scored the second goal of the game 98 On 26 April Costa was chosen of one of two forwards for the season s PFA Team of the Year alongside Tottenham s Harry Kane Five of Costa s Chelsea teammates were also in the selection 99 Due to injury he was due to miss the remainder of the season in which Chelsea won the league title with a 1 0 home win over Crystal Palace on 3 May 100 However he featured in their last match of the season on the 24th replacing the injured Didier Drogba after half an hour against Sunderland Seven minutes later he scored his 20th goal of the league campaign an equalising penalty in an eventual 3 1 home win 101 With reports speculating that Costa wanting to leave Chelsea Costa affirmed on 2 June 2015 after Chelsea s post season tour that he had no desire to leave London saying It s always a bit more difficult in the first season for adaptation but I have no reason to leave this place I love it the fans love me and I want to stay It s really good to come in the first season to Chelsea and win two things the Premier League and the League Cup titles Next year I ll be ready to come back and hopefully win a couple more trophies 102 2015 16 season nbsp Diego Costa eyeballs Gabriel The latter would be the recipient of a red card later rescinded while the former was charged with violent conduct Due to injury Costa missed the 2015 FA Community Shield which Chelsea lost 1 0 to rivals Arsenal 103 On 23 August he scored his first goal of the campaign in a 2 3 win at West Bromwich Albion which was Chelsea s first victory of the campaign set up by international teammate Pedro 104 He scored his first Champions League goal for the team on 16 September a volley from a Cesc Fabregas ball in a 4 0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv 105 Three days later Costa was involved in controversy in a 2 0 home win over Arsenal he repeatedly slapped Laurent Koscielny and chest bumped him to the ground and then confronted Gabriel who allegedly tried to kick him and was sent off though footage from ESPN Brazil later showed that little to no contact actually took place 106 He escaped any punishment at the time His conduct was deemed disgusting by visiting manager Arsene Wenger 107 and teammate Kurt Zouma initially reacted by saying Diego likes to cheat a lot but later clarified that he meant that Diego is a player who puts pressure on his opponents 6 As a consequence on 21 September he was charged with violent conduct by the FA 108 and the following day he was given a three match suspension 109 Gabriel s red card was also rescinded although he was given a one match ban and 10 000 fine for improper conduct after failing to leave the pitch immediately After this incident the Daily Express wrote that Costa was named as the Premier League s dirtiest player 110 nbsp Costa in action at the 2015 16 Champions League group stage match against Dynamo Kyiv in October 2015After a 1 0 defeat at Stoke City on 7 November a Britannia Stadium steward made an allegation of assault against Costa which was resolved without further action 111 Also that month Costa was again involved in a skirmish with Liverpool s Martin Skrtel where he appeared to dig his boot into the Slovak defender s chest but escaped punishment by the FA 112 On 29 November Costa was an unused substitute in a match against Tottenham and threw his bib on the floor when Ruben Loftus Cheek was sent on at his expense Mourinho told the media that For me his behaviour is normal A top player on the bench will not be happy 113 Costa Oscar and Fabregas were targeted by Chelsea supporters as the players whose poor form led to the dismissal of popular manager Jose Mourinho in December 2015 114 Costa scored twice in the first game under interim replacement Guus Hiddink a 2 2 home draw against Watford 114 Costa who played in a protective mask after breaking his nose in training improved his form under the Dutchman scoring seven times in his first eight games under the new management 115 On 12 March 2016 Costa received his first red card in a Chelsea shirt near the end their 2 0 FA Cup quarter final defeat to Everton for confronting opponent Gareth Barry Footage appeared to show Costa biting Barry during that confrontation after clashing heads Earlier in the match Costa appeared to spit in the direction of the referee after he was yellow carded for a clash with Barry 116 117 Later both Costa and Barry denied that the bite occurred 118 Costa s two match ban was extended to three and he was fined 20 000 119 On 2 May as Chelsea drew 2 2 against Tottenham to deny them the title Costa was gouged in the eyes by Mousa Dembele during a mass brawl the Belgian received a retrospective six match ban 120 2016 17 season nbsp Costa with manager Antonio Conte during the 2017 FA Cup semi final against Tottenham HotspurOn 15 August 2016 Costa scored a late winner against West Ham United to give Chelsea a 2 1 win in their season opener 121 During the match he caught opposing goalkeeper Adrian with a late challenge when already on a yellow card but did not receive a second yellow and went on to score the winner Adrian stated after the match that he was fortunate not to be seriously injured 122 On 15 October he scored in a 3 0 over reigning Premier League champions Leicester City 123 and on 20 November Costa became the first player to reach ten league goals for the season with the only one of the game at Middlesbrough 124 With two goals and two assists for league leaders Chelsea he was voted Premier League Player of the Month for the second time in November 2016 with his manager Antonio Conte picking up the equivalent 125 In January 2017 Costa fell out with Conte and was dropped from the team amidst interest from the Chinese Super League 126 A potential move to Tianjin Quanjian F C was curtailed by the league limiting the number of foreign players in each team 127 He returned to Chelsea s starting line up on 22 January opening a 2 0 win over Hull City his 52nd goal on his 100th appearance 128 Costa was Chelsea s top scorer with 20 goals as they regained the Premier League title 129 On 27 May he scored an equaliser in the 2017 FA Cup Final against Arsenal a 2 1 loss 130 2017 18 season Hi Diego I hope you are well Thanks for the seasono sic we spent together Good luck for the next year but you are not in my plan Antonio Conte informing Costa by text in June 2017 that he would no longer be involved with Chelsea 131 In June 2017 Costa was told by Conte that he was not part of his plans for the coming season and that he was free to move to another team via text message 131 Although Costa was linked to potential moves to the likes of Milan Monaco and Everton he stated that he would only be open to moving back to his former team Atletico Madrid Costa attempted to find a legal solution through his lawyer in pushing for a move back to Madrid 132 and said that Chelsea were treating him like a criminal by demanding a high transfer fee for his exit 133 He was excluded from training with the first team but was named in the Premier League squad yet left out of the Champions League squad 134 Return to Atletico Madrid On 21 September 2017 Chelsea announced that Costa would return to Atletico at the start of the next transfer window in January 2018 135 133 On 26 September 2017 it was announced that after passing medical tests Costa signed a contract with Atletico He was registered and became eligible to play after 1 January 2018 due to a transfer ban imposed on Atletico 136 On 3 January 2018 he scored on his return game against Lleida Esportiu in the Copa del Rey round of 16 just five minutes after being substituted on for Angel Correa in the 64th minute 137 Three days later in his first league game back he started in a 2 0 win over Getafe at the Wanda Metropolitano and scored the second goal However having already been cautioned for a stray elbow on Djene Dakonam he was cautioned for a second time for charging into the stands to celebrate his goal thus being sent off 138 ESPN FC credited Costa as being a key element in Antoine Griezmann s return to form opining that Costa s physical presence at centre forward has understandably distracted opposition defenders quite a lot Griezmann has now taken up a roaming No 10 role with freedom to go where he feels best Atletico manager Diego Simeone namechecked three of Atletico s players in particular Costa Koke and Filipe Luis who had helped Griezmann perform 139 Costa scored the only goal of Atletico s 1 0 home win in over Arsenal in the second leg of the Europa League semi finals sending them into the 2018 UEFA Europa League Final 2 1 on aggregate 140 He played in the final in Lyon a 3 0 win over Olympique de Marseille 141 In Atletico s first match of 2018 19 the UEFA Super Cup at the Lillekula Stadium in Estonia Costa scored twice including in the first 50 seconds in a 4 2 win after extra time against Real Madrid 142 In April 2019 he was handed an 8 match ban for abusing a referee 143 On 18 June 2020 Costa marked his 200th club appearance for Los Colchoneros when he started in a huge 5 0 away win against Osasuna 144 Costa scored his fifth goal of the season in a 1 0 home victory against Real Betis to ensure his team a top four finish and qualification for next season s Champions League 145 On 29 December 2020 Costa and Atletico agreed to terminate their contract making Costa a free agent 146 Atletico Mineiro On 14 August 2021 Costa joined Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro signing a deal until December 2022 147 He scored on his debut on 29 August coming off the bench in the second half and settling a 1 1 league draw to Red Bull Bragantino 148 On 16 January 2022 after only playing 19 times and scoring 5 goals Diego Costa terminated his contract and became a free agent 149 Wolverhampton Wanderers On 12 September 2022 Costa joined Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers until the end of the 2022 23 season 150 151 On 1 October 2022 Costa made his debut for the club coming on in the 58th minute in a 2 0 league defeat to West Ham United at the London Stadium 152 Costa made his 100th appearance in the Premier League his 11th for Wolves as a second half substitute against Bournemouth at Molineux on 18 February 2023 153 He suffered a knee injury in the first half of Wolves s 1 0 home win against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on 4 March 2023 and was carried off the pitch on a stretcher 154 On 15 April Costa scored his first goal for Wolves in a 2 0 home win against Brentford his first goal in English football in nearly six years 155 On 3 June Wolves announced that Costa was one of many players who would leave at the end of their contract 156 Botafogo On 12 August 2023 Costa signed for Brazilian club Botafogo 157 International careerBrazil On 5 March 2013 Costa was called up to the Brazil national team by head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari for friendlies with Italy in Geneva and Russia in London both taking place late in that month 158 He made his debut in the first match on 21 March replacing Fred midway through the second half of the 2 2 draw 159 Four days later at Stamford Bridge he replaced Kaka for the last 12 minutes of a 1 1 draw with Russia 160 Request to change teams In September 2013 the Royal Spanish Football Federation made an official request to FIFA for permission to call up Costa for the Spain national team 161 He had been granted Spanish nationality in July 162 FIFA regulations currently permit players with more than one nationality to represent a second country if like Costa he had only represented his first country in friendly matches 161 163 On 29 October 2013 Costa declared that he wished to play international football for Spain sending a letter to the Brazilian Football Confederation CBF 164 Following the news 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 165 The CBF judicial director Carlos Eugenio Lopes said It s obvious that the reason he made that choice was financial The chairman of the CBF Jose Maria Marin authorised me to open a legal action at the Justice Ministry requesting that he loses his Brazilian citizenship which Diego Costa has rejected The chairman told me that Costa has proved he s not fit to be part of the Scolari family that he would contaminate the family because he s not committed to Brazil but to Spain He rejected his Brazilian citizenship Marin has asked me to study the situation deeply in order to keep him from ever playing for Spain He told me that from now on Costa is persona non grata at the national team and that the players themselves wouldn t welcome him because of that episode 166 Spain On 28 February 2014 Spain manager Vicente del Bosque included Costa in the squad for a friendly against Italy 167 He finally made his debut on 5 March playing the full 90 minutes at his club ground the Vicente Calderon Stadium as the hosts won 1 0 168 nbsp Costa and Russia s Sergei Ignashevich at the 2018 FIFA World CupCosta was named in Spain s 30 man provisional squad for the 2014 World Cup 169 as well as the final list which was named on 31 May 170 He returned from the injury which had ended his club season by starting in a warm up game against El Salvador winning a penalty in a 2 0 victory 171 In the first match of the tournament against the Netherlands he again won a penalty conceded by Stefan de Vrij and converted by Xabi Alonso for a 1 0 lead but in an eventual 1 5 defeat 172 he was booed by Brazilian fans during the match 173 Costa then started in a 0 2 loss to Chile making little impact as he was substituted for Fernando Torres for the second consecutive match and Spain were eliminated 174 He was an unused substitute in the team s third match a 3 0 defeat of Australia 175 Costa scored his first goal for Spain with the third in a 4 0 UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying win away to Luxembourg on 12 October 2014 176 He did not feature again for Spain until 5 September 2015 when he was fouled by Slovakia goalkeeper Matus Kozacik for a penalty which Andres Iniesta converted for a 2 0 qualifying win at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere in Oviedo He was booed when he was substituted for Paco Alcacer later in the match citation needed Del Bosque defended Costa from criticism saying that he performed well against the Slovak defence 177 However he was not included in the final squad for the tournament 178 On 5 September 2016 Costa scored his first international goals for nearly two years in an 8 0 win over Liechtenstein at the Estadio Reino de Leon for Spain s opening match of 2018 World Cup qualification the first being a header from a free kick by his former Atletico teammate Koke 179 In May 2018 Costa was called up to Spain s squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup 180 In their opening game on 15 June in Sochi he scored his two first World Cup goals to help Spain secure a 3 3 draw against Portugal 181 Five days later he scored the winning goal of the match against Iran 182 Player profileStyle of play and reception nbsp Costa in action for Atletico Madrid in 2013Friends and family recalled how Costa s style of play changed little over time with his father stating how as a child Costa would be furious whenever his team lost 183 Atletico scout Javier Hernandez on watching 17 year old Costa play for Penafiel was impressed by the young forward s determination and power although found it evident that he was not observing a healthy lifestyle 184 Costa s Penafiel manager Rui Bento who was at Sporting CP when Cristiano Ronaldo broke into the team rated Costa in the same calibre as the Portuguese winger 184 According to Atletico director Jesus Garcia Pitarch Costa ranks as one of the best signings of his career alongside Mohamed Sissoko Miranda and Ricardo Oliveira 185 While on loan at Celta de Vigo Costa drew comparisons to their former Egyptian striker Mido who was also known for his temper 186 During his spell at Albacete Costa was nicknamed after bullfighter Curro Romero and the Tasmanian devil 36 His manager Juan Ignacio Martinez conceded that Costa played as a model professional for 89 minutes per match with only one minute per match being his downfall 187 Costa refers to Jose Luis Mendilibar as his greatest manager because of his fatherlike tough love respecting his talents while keeping strict discipline once sending Costa to work in a vineyard as a punishment 188 Earlier in his Atletico Madrid career Costa s physical play was used in support of Radamel Falcao thus ensuring a lower goalscoring rate After Falcao was sold in 2013 the attack was restructured around Costa by manager Diego Simeone Simeone who like Costa was known for his competitiveness and aggression found ways to enhance his discipline while retaining his determination 94 In 2014 his club teammate Diego Godin described Costa as the team s heartbeat commenting that he gives us everything also adding Sometimes things aren t going well and he is able to open up the game with his strength and technique Nick Dorrington of Bleacher Report described him as a battering ram of a striker Strong quick and tireless in his pursuit of the ball while the club s manager Simeone lauded his work rate as being contagious 189 Ahead of his competitive debut for Chelsea in August 2014 BBC Sport pundit Robbie Savage described Costa as the missing piece in the jigsaw for the clear favourites who could end up winning the title by five or six points He explained that Chelsea s defence was already the strongest in the league but a poorer rate of shot to goal conversion had cost them the title He praised Costa s stature and physical style of play which suits the Premier League down to the ground in the same role that Didier Drogba previously played at Chelsea 190 an opinion also voiced by the league s top scorer of all time Alan Shearer 191 Costa has also been attributed with a greater ability to keep possession of the ball than any Chelsea striker since Drogba first left the club in 2012 192 That same year Henry Winter of The Telegraph noted that Costa has the technique the strength and the burst of acceleration to destroy defences 193 Costa s size technique and strength coupled with his link up play and ability to hold up the ball with his back to goal allow him to be an effective target man 194 195 196 197 moreover his constant movement and powerful running in the centre forward role allows him to distract opponents and in turn create space for teammates 139 198 199 Although he was initially known to be inconsistent in the earlier part of his career due to his low goalscoring rate he later established himself as a good finisher as his career progressed which along with his composure in front of goal and ability inside the penalty box made him a prolific goalscorer 194 200 201 202 203 and even saw him regarded by several pundits and managers as one of the best strikers in the world at his peak 204 205 In 2018 Simeone lauded Costa for the enthusiasm and aggression he brings to Atletico Madrid as well as his speed decisiveness and physical strength 206 Discipline and controversies nbsp Costa and Martin Skrtel have had several notable clashes Costa has been the source of much controversy in his career due to confrontations with opponents and has received multiple violent conduct charges from The Football Association of England 207 6 Opposing managers have also opined that Costa himself intends to provoke his opponents 7 Danny Murphy of Match of the Day has stated that Costa is targeted by players who wind him up but he remains calm and is justified to taunt opponents who taunt him 208 Pat Nevin a former Chelsea winger believes that Costa s style of play is likely to cause himself a few injuries 191 In August 2014 he was criticised by Everton manager Roberto Martinez for taunting Everton s Seamus Coleman following his own goal and stated Costa needed to understand the ethics of the Premier League 7 In October 2014 he clashed with Slovakia s Martin Skrtel in a Euro 2016 qualifier 209 In January 2015 following two stamp incidents involving Costa and Liverpool players for which Costa received a three match ban by the FA Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers stated that he thought Costa had fouled his players when he could easily have hurdled over the player and there s no need to do it 210 Costa described his style of play as strong but noble and refuted allegations that he deliberately aims to injure opponents 211 In late 2015 Costa was the subject of scrutiny for his comparatively poor start to his second season at Chelsea and his low scoring rate for Spain 177 French newspaper L Equipe named Costa as the most hated footballer in December 2015 based on his provocative and violent behaviour 212 Career statisticsClub As of match played 23 November 2023 213 Club Season League National cup a League cup b Continental Other TotalDivision Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps GoalsPenafiel loan 2006 07 Liga de Honra 13 5 1 0 14 5Braga loan 2006 07 Primeira Liga 6 0 1 0 2 c 1 9 1Celta Vigo loan 2007 08 Segunda Division 30 6 1 0 31 6Albacete loan 2008 09 Segunda Division 35 10 1 0 36 10Valladolid 2009 10 La Liga 34 8 2 1 36 9Atletico Madrid 2010 11 La Liga 28 6 5 1 6 d 1 39 82012 13 La Liga 31 10 8 8 5 d 2 44 202013 14 La Liga 35 27 6 1 9 e 8 2 f 0 52 36Total 94 43 19 10 20 11 2 0 135 64Rayo Vallecano loan 2011 12 La Liga 16 10 0 0 16 10Chelsea 2014 15 Premier League 26 20 1 0 3 1 7 e 0 37 212015 16 Premier League 28 12 4 2 1 0 8 e 2 41 162016 17 Premier League 35 20 5 2 2 0 42 222017 18 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Total 89 52 10 4 6 1 15 2 120 59Atletico Madrid 2017 18 La Liga 15 3 3 2 5 d 2 23 72018 19 La Liga 16 2 0 0 4 e 1 1 g 2 21 52019 20 La Liga 23 5 0 0 7 e 0 0 0 30 52020 21 La Liga 7 2 0 0 0 0 7 2Total 61 12 3 2 16 3 1 2 81 19Atletico Madrid total 155 55 22 12 36 14 3 2 216 83Atletico Mineiro 2021 Serie A 15 4 3 1 1 h 0 19 5Wolverhampton Wanderers 2022 23 Premier League 23 1 1 0 1 0 25 1Botafogo 2023 Serie A 12 3 0 0 0 0 2 i 0 0 0 14 3Career total 428 154 42 18 7 1 56 17 3 2 534 192 Includes Taca de Portugal Copa del Rey FA Cup Copa do Brasil Includes Football League Cup EFL Cup Appearances in UEFA Cup a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League a b c d e Appearances in UEFA Champions League Appearances in Supercopa de Espana Appearance in UEFA Super Cup Appearance in Copa Libertadores Appearances in Copa Sudamericana International Appearances and goals by national team and year As of match played 1 July 2018 214 National team Year Apps GoalsBrazil2013 2 0Total 2 0Spain2014 7 12015 3 02016 4 32017 2 22018 8 4Total 24 10Career total 26 10As of match played 20 June 2018 Spain score listed first score column indicates score after each Costa goal 214 215 International goals by date venue cap opponent score result and competition No Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition1 12 October 2014 Stade Josy Barthel Luxembourg City Luxembourg 7 nbsp Luxembourg 3 0 4 0 UEFA Euro 2016 qualification2 5 September 2016 Estadio Reino de Leon Leon Spain 12 nbsp Liechtenstein 1 0 8 0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification3 5 04 9 October 2016 Loro Borici Stadium Shkoder Albania 14 nbsp Albania 1 0 2 0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification5 24 March 2017 El Molinon Gijon Spain 15 nbsp Israel 3 0 4 1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification6 11 June 2017 Philip II Arena Skopje Macedonia 16 nbsp Macedonia 2 0 2 1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification7 27 March 2018 Wanda Metropolitano Madrid Spain 18 nbsp Argentina 1 0 6 1 Friendly8 15 June 2018 Fisht Olympic Stadium Sochi Russia 21 nbsp Portugal 1 1 3 3 2018 FIFA World Cup9 2 210 20 June 2018 Kazan Arena Kazan Russia 22 nbsp Iran 1 0 1 0 2018 FIFA World CupHonours nbsp Chelsea supporters banner in honour of Costa November 2014Atletico Madrid La Liga 2013 14 75 2020 21 216 Copa del Rey 2012 13 60 UEFA Champions League runner up 2013 14 77 UEFA Europa League 2017 18 217 UEFA Super Cup 2010 218 2012 51 2018 219 Chelsea Premier League 2014 15 2016 17 220 FA Cup runner up 2016 17 221 Football League Cup 2014 15 222 Atletico Mineiro Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A 2021 223 Copa do Brasil 2021Individual La Liga Player of the Month September 2013 67 La Liga Team of the Season 2013 14 224 Trofeo EFE 2013 14 225 UEFA Champions League Team of the Season 2013 14 226 Zarra Trophy 2013 14 227 Premier League Player of the Month August 2014 November 2016 220 PFA Team of the Year 2014 15 Premier League 99 Records Fastest goal in the UEFA Super Cup 2018 49 seconds in against Real Madrid 228 See alsoList of Spain international footballers born outside Spain List of association footballers who have been capped for two senior national teamsReferencesGeneral Guillen Fran 2015 The Art of War Arena Sport ISBN 978 1 909715 29 5 Notes Costa s transfer equates to 65 million when performance related add ons are included His title as club record transfer was surpassed later that summer when Thomas Lemar joined for 60 million References Acta del Partido celebrado el 06 de abril de 2019 en Barcelona Minutes of the Match held on 6 April 2019 in Barcelona in Spanish Royal Spanish Football Federation Retrieved 17 June 2019 permanent dead link FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 List of Players Spain PDF FIFA 15 July 2018 p 28 Archived from the original PDF on 11 June 2019 Retrieved 17 June 2019 Diego Costa Wolverhampton Wanderers F C Archived from the original on 22 March 2023 Retrieved 7 November 2022 a b Diego allo scadere Parma fuori Diego at the end Parma out in Italian UEFA 23 February 2007 Retrieved 22 August 2014 a b Line ups PDF UEFA 27 August 2010 Archived from the original PDF on 4 February 2020 Retrieved 27 August 2010 a b c Diego Costa likes to cheat Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma ESPN FC 21 September 2015 Retrieved 21 September 2015 a b c Diego Costa must learn respect Everton boss Roberto Martinez BBC Sport 30 August 2014 Retrieved 31 August 2014 a b c d e f g Burt Jason 31 January 2015 Diego Costa I take things to limit but I did nothing wrong The Daily Telegraph Retrieved 31 January 2015 West Andy 26 September 2015 Diego Costa Does the Chelsea striker have a softer side BBC Sport Retrieved 27 September 2015 Guillen 2015 p 9 Guillen 2015 p 4 A Primera desde la calle Diego Costa To Primera from the streets El Pais in Spanish 23 January 2010 Retrieved 25 July 2010 a b Guillen 2015 p 8 Relatorio de transferencias internacionais International transfers report in Portuguese Brazilian FA 22 January 2007 Archived from the original on 26 November 2007 Guillen 2015 p 11 Diego voltou para ficar Diego came back to stay in Portuguese Record 7 January 2007 Archived from the original on 6 November 2013 Retrieved 31 October 2013 a b Guillen 2015 p 12 SC Braga Futebol SAD Annual report and financial statements for 2006 2007 PDF in Portuguese CMVM 15 August 2008 Retrieved 10 November 2010 a b Guillen 2015 p 17 a b Guillen 2015 p 20 Guillen 2015 p 24 Guillen 2015 p 26 Guillen 2015 p 28 Guillen 2015 p 30 a b Guillen 2015 p 33 Guillen 2015 p 34 Guillen 2015 p 36 Guillen 2015 p 37 Guillen 2015 p 41 a b Guillen 2015 p 43 Guillen 2015 p 44 Guillen 2015 p 46 Guillen 2015 p 47 Guillen 2015 p 50 Guillen 2015 p 52 a b Guillen 2015 p 56 Guillen 2015 p 59 Guillen 2015 p 60 Asenjo ya es el nuevo portero del Atletico Asenjo new Atletico goalkeeper Archived 11 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine Diario AS 8 July 2009 in Spanish Guillen 2015 p 61 Guillen 2015 p 63 El Tenerife se sacude en Zorrilla el sindrome del visitante Tenerife shakes off visitor s syndrome in Zorrilla Marca in Spanish 29 November 2009 Retrieved 31 October 2013 Guillen 2015 p 69 SC Braga Futebol SAD Relatorios e Contas 2010 11 SC Braga football section financial report and accounts 2010 11 in Portuguese Braga s official website 11 October 2011 Archived from the original on 22 March 2012 Retrieved 22 March 2012 Atletico edge past rock bottom Zaragoza ESPN Soccernet 26 September 2010 Archived from the original on 24 October 2012 Retrieved 13 April 2011 Diego Costa treble seals Atletico triumph ESPN Soccernet 3 April 2011 Archived from the original on 24 October 2012 Retrieved 13 April 2011 Atletico Madrid s Diego Costa to miss six months with cruciate ligament injury Goal com 28 July 2011 Retrieved 3 September 2011 Turner Nick 9 October 2013 Diego Costa was on the verge of Besiktas move Inside Spanish Football Archived from the original on 13 August 2014 Retrieved 13 August 2014 Diego Costa se marcha cedido al Rayo Vallecano Diego Costa goes to Rayo Vallecano on loan Marca in Spanish 23 January 2012 Retrieved 20 February 2012 Bangoura and Costa inspire Rayo ESPN Soccernet 19 February 2012 Archived from the original on 23 February 2012 Retrieved 20 February 2012 a b Chelsea 1 4 Atl Madrid BBC Sport 1 September 2012 Archived from the original on 13 January 2016 Sergio Ramos escupio primero a Diego Costa Sergio Ramos spat on Diego Costa first in Spanish Goal com 2 December 2012 Retrieved 12 December 2012 La UEFA castiga con cuatro partidos a Diego Costa UEFA punishes Diego Costa with four games Marca in Spanish 19 December 2012 Retrieved 21 December 2012 Plzen pip Atletico to take top spot UEFA 6 December 2012 Retrieved 12 December 2012 Five star show from Falcao ESPN Soccernet 9 December 2012 Retrieved 12 December 2012 El Atletico si quiere la Copa Atletico does want Cup Marca in Spanish 12 December 2012 Retrieved 13 December 2012 a b Diego Costa y Cristiano Ronaldo pelearan por el Pichichi copero Diego Costa and Cristiano Ronaldo to fight for cup Pichichi Marca in Spanish 28 February 2013 Retrieved 28 February 2013 Once metros mas cerca de la final Eleven meters closer to the final Marca in Spanish 31 January 2013 Retrieved 28 February 2013 El Atletico acepta el reto Atletico accepts challenge Marca in Spanish 27 February 2013 Retrieved 28 February 2013 a b Ronaldo red as Atletico win the Cup ESPN FC 17 May 2013 Retrieved 18 May 2013 Johnston Neil 17 May 2013 Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo off in Real Madrid loss BBC Sport Retrieved 18 May 2013 El Liverpool triplica el sueldo a Diego Costa Liverpool triples Diego Costa salary Marca in Spanish 3 August 2013 Retrieved 19 August 2013 Diego Costa renueva con el Atletico de Madrid hasta 2018 Diego Costa renews with Atletico de Madrid until 2018 in Spanish Goal com 14 August 2013 Retrieved 19 August 2013 Diego Costa ruge como un tigre Diego Costa roars like a tiger Marca in Spanish 19 August 2013 Retrieved 19 August 2013 Costa brace keeps Atletico perfect ESPN FC 24 September 2013 Archived from the original on 28 September 2013 Retrieved 28 September 2013 Costa goal wins Madrid derby ESPN FC 28 September 2013 Retrieved 28 September 2013 a b Premios Liga BBVA y Liga Adelante a los mejores del mes Liga BBVA and Liga Adelante prizes for the best of the month in Spanish Liga de Futbol Profesional 22 October 2013 Retrieved 8 November 2014 Un cumpleanos en plenitud A birthday in plenitude in Spanish Liga de Futbol Profesional 7 October 2013 Retrieved 8 November 2014 Diego Costa FIFA 12 November 2014 Archived from the original on 14 November 2014 Retrieved 14 November 2014 Imperious Atletico cruise to victory in Vienna UEFA 22 October 2013 Retrieved 23 October 2013 Atletico hit Milan with late sucker punch UEFA 19 February 2014 Retrieved 22 February 2014 Atletico Madrid 4 AC Milan 1 agg 5 1 match report The Daily Telegraph 11 March 2014 Retrieved 12 March 2014 Chelsea 1 3 Atletico Madrid BBC Sport 30 April 2014 Retrieved 30 April 2014 Los 27 empujones de Diego Costa Diego Costa s 27 shoves in Spanish Faro de Vigo 18 May 2014 Retrieved 6 June 2014 a b Rose Gary 17 May 2014 Barcelona 1 1 Atletico Madrid BBC Sport Retrieved 25 May 2014 Champions League final 2014 Atletico Madrid s Diego Costa undergoes controversial muscle treatment The Daily Telegraph 21 May 2014 Retrieved 25 May 2014 a b McNulty Phil 25 May 2014 Real Madrid 4 1 Atletico Madrid BBC Sport Retrieved 27 April 2019 Atletico Madrid Simeone admits to mistake over injured Costa BBC Sport 25 May 2014 Retrieved 3 June 2014 Sanmor Vero 31 March 2014 Diego Costa a un gol de igualar a Vava como maximo goleador en Champions en una temporada Diego Costa one goal from equalling Vava as top goalscorer in the Champions in one season Mundo Deportivo in Spanish Retrieved 29 August 2014 gala de premios LFP 2013 14 LFP Awards show 2013 14 in Spanish Liga de Futbol Profesional Archived from the original on 5 November 2014 Retrieved 10 November 2014 Spain star Diego Costa close to Chelsea move after passing a medical Sky Sports 4 June 2014 Retrieved 7 July 2014 Hytner David 4 June 2014 Diego Costa completes medical ready for 32m move to Chelsea The Guardian Retrieved 7 July 2014 Orr James 1 July 2014 Diego Costa joins Chelsea Blues confirm they have reached agreement to sign the Atletico Madrid striker The Independent Retrieved 7 July 2014 Diego Costa completes 32m Chelsea move from Atletico Madrid The Guardian 1 July 2014 Retrieved 7 July 2014 Chelsea complete Costa signing ESPN 2 July 2014 Retrieved 7 July 2014 a b Costa deal completed Chelsea F C 15 July 2014 Retrieved 15 July 2014 Ankers George 15 July 2014 Official Chelsea sign Diego Costa Goal com Retrieved 15 July 2014 Squad number changes Chelsea F C Retrieved 15 August 2014 Match report NK Olimpija Ljubljana 1 Chelsea 2 Chelsea F C 27 July 2014 Retrieved 27 July 2014 Burnley 1 3 Chelsea BBC Sport 18 August 2014 Retrieved 18 August 2014 Everton 3 6 Chelsea BBC Sport 30 August 2014 Retrieved 30 August 2014 Diego Costa accepts August accolade Chelsea F C 12 September 2014 Retrieved 12 September 2014 Chelsea 4 2 Swansea City BBC Sport 13 September 2014 Retrieved 13 September 2014 a b West Andy 19 September 2014 Costa Is Chelsea striker just a fast starter or the real deal BBC Sport Retrieved 20 September 2014 Diego Costa Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho unsure on striker s return BBC Sport 19 October 2014 Retrieved 19 October 2014 McNulty Phil 8 November 2014 Liverpool 1 2 Chelsea BBC Sport Retrieved 8 November 2014 Diego Costa Chelsea striker gets three match ban for stamp BBC Sport 30 January 2015 Retrieved 30 January 2015 Match Report Capital One Cup Archived from the original on 17 April 2015 Retrieved 27 April 2015 a b Chelsea s Eden Hazard named PFA Player of the Year BBC Sport 26 April 2015 Retrieved 7 May 2018 McNulty Phil 3 May 2015 Chelsea 1 0 Crystal Palace BBC Sport Retrieved 3 May 2015 Winton Richard 24 May 2015 Chelsea 3 1 Sunderland BBC Sport Retrieved 24 May 2015 Jose Mourinho criticises Ruben Loftus Cheek for Chelsea display The Guardian 2 June 2015 Retrieved 2 June 2015 Cryer Andy 2 August 2015 Arsenal 1 0 Chelsea BBC Sport Retrieved 2 August 2015 Magowan Alistair 23 August 2015 West Brom 2 3 Chelsea BBC Sport Retrieved 23 August 2015 Cryer Andy Chelsea 4 0 Maccabi Tel Aviv BBC Sport Retrieved 16 September 2015 Veja momento em que Gabriel acerta chute em Diego Costa ESPN in Portuguese Retrieved 12 March 2016 McNulty Phil 19 September 2015 Chelsea 2 0 Arsenal BBC Sport Retrieved 20 September 2015 Diego Costa Chelsea striker charged with violent conduct by FA BBC Sport 21 September 2015 Retrieved 21 September 2015 Chelsea forward Diego Costa suspended for three matches The Football Association 22 September 2015 Retrieved 22 September 2015 Horsefield Izzy 21 September 2015 Revealed Chelsea ace named as Premier League s dirtiest player after Arsenal clash Retrieved 22 September 2015 Diego Costa Chelsea striker steward complaint resolved BBC Sport 7 November 2015 Retrieved 8 November 2015 Chelsea s Diego Costa could face four game ban after Skrtel clash ESPN FC 1 November 2015 Retrieved 20 November 2015 Diego Costa Jose Mourinho plays down bib incident with striker BBC Sport 29 November 2015 Retrieved 30 November 2015 a b Osborne Chris 26 December 2015 Chelsea 2 2 Watford BBC Sport Retrieved 26 December 2015 Bevan Chris 13 February 2016 Chelsea 5 1 Newcastle United BBC Sport Retrieved 14 February 2016 Davis Callum 12 March 2016 Did Diego Costa bite Gareth Barry after spitting at FA Cup referee The Telegraph The Daily Telegraph Retrieved 13 March 2016 Wilson Paul 12 March 2016 Diego Costa off but Everton play down bite claims against Chelsea striker The Guardian Retrieved 13 March 2016 Diego Costa Gareth Barry says Chelsea striker did not bite him BBC Sport 13 March 2016 Retrieved 13 March 2016 Diego Costa Chelsea striker has ban extended and is fined 20 000 BBC Sport 1 April 2016 Retrieved 1 April 2016 Tottenham Hotspur s Mousa Dembele receives six game ban The FA 6 May 2016 Retrieved 6 May 2016 Diego Costa s late winner helps Chelsea defeat West Ham in opener ESPN 15 August 2016 Adrian says he is lucky Diego Costa tackle in Chelsea win over West Ham did not cause serious injury Sky Sports 16 August 2016 Match report Chelsea 3 Leicester City 0 Chelsea FC 15 October 2016 Middlesbrough 0 1 Chelsea BBC Sport 20 November 2016 Costa named EA SPORTS Player of the Month Premier League 9 December 2016 Retrieved 2 January 2017 Pitt Brooke Jack 14 January 2017 Diego Costa left out of Chelsea squad after furious row with Antonio Conte and 30m China transfer offer The Independent Retrieved 15 January 2017 Diego Costa New rules in Chinese football scuppered deal says Tianjin Quanjian owner BBC Sport 17 January 2017 Retrieved 23 January 2017 Begley Emlyn 22 January 2017 Chelsea 2 0 Hull BBC Sport Retrieved 23 January 2017 Chelsea 2016 17 Premier League season review Sky Sports 21 May 2017 Retrieved 22 September 2017 Taylor Daniel 27 May 2017 Aaron Ramsey fires Arsenal to FA Cup final win over 10 man Chelsea The Observer Retrieved 22 September 2017 a b Antonio Conte Chelsea manager texts Diego Costa to say you are not in my plan BBC Sport 9 June 2017 Chelsea striker Diego Costa s lawyer to demand Atletico Madrid move ESPN 3 August 2017 a b Diego Costa Chelsea agree terms with Atletico Madrid to sell striker BBC Sport 21 September 2017 Retrieved 22 September 2017 Diego Costa left out of Chelsea s Champions League squad ESPN 4 September 2017 Diego Costa Transfer announcement Chelsea F C 21 September 2017 Diego Costa is now an Atletico Atletico Madrid 26 September 2017 Diego Costa scores five minutes into Atletico Madrid debut and then gets injured express co uk 3 January 2018 Bairner Robin 6 January 2018 Diego Costa sent off after scoring on second Atletico Madrid La Liga debut Goal com a b Corrigan Dermot 2 March 2018 Diego Costa and Atletico teammates helping Griezmann back to form ESPN Retrieved 2 March 2018 Sanders Emma 3 May 2018 Atletico Madrid 1 0 Arsenal BBC Sport Retrieved 3 May 2018 Murray Scott 16 May 2018 Marseille 0 3 Atletico The Guardian Retrieved 16 August 2018 Diego Costa double helps Atletico beat Real Madrid 4 2 in Uefa Super Cup The Guardian 15 August 2018 Retrieved 16 August 2018 Diego Costa Striker handed eight game ban for abusing referee BBC Sport 11 April 2019 Diego Costa y los 200 Nunca imagine jugar tantos partidos Diego Costa and the 200 I never imagined playing so many games AS in Spanish 19 June 2020 Retrieved 20 June 2020 La Liga Diego Costa Strike Guarantees Atletico Madrid Top four Finish with 1 0 Win over Real Betis News 18 12 July 2020 Retrieved 12 July 2020 Westwood James 29 December 2020 Atletico Madrid confirm termination of Diego Costa contract to end Spain striker s second spell at club Goal com Retrieved 29 December 2020 Atletico MG oficializa a contratacao de Diego Costa Atletico MG officialize Diego Costa s signing GE in Brazilian Portuguese 14 August 2021 Retrieved 14 August 2021 Diego Costa marca na estreia e garante empate do lider Atletico MG com o Bragantino Diego Costa scores on debut and ensures draw for leaders Atletico MG against Bragantino GE in Brazilian Portuguese 29 August 2021 Retrieved 29 August 2021 Diego Costa se despede do Atletico MG Sentimento de gratidao ge in Brazilian Portuguese Retrieved 28 February 2022 Costa completes Wolves move Wolverhampton Wanderers FC 12 September 2022 Retrieved 12 September 2022 Diego Costa Wolves sign former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker until end of season BBC Sport 12 September 2022 Neves warns Wolves as pressure builds on Lage BBC Sport 1 October 2022 Retrieved 2 October 2022 Rindl Joe 18 February 2023 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 1 Bournemouth Cherries out of relegation zone with win BBC Sport Retrieved 19 February 2023 Millington Adam 4 March 2023 Wolves 1 0 Tottenham Traore seals win which damages visitors Champions League qualification bid BBC Sport Retrieved 5 March 2023 Stone Simon 15 April 2023 Wolves 2 0 Brentford Diego Costa amp Hwang Hee chan lift Wolves away from danger BBC Sport Retrieved 15 April 2023 Moutinho Costa and Traore to leave Wolves BBC Sport 3 June 2023 Retrieved 3 June 2023 Alvarez Fernando 12 August 2023 Botafogo anuncia a Diego Costa Diario AS Retrieved 12 August 2023 Felipao chama Kaka e Diego Costa Ronaldinho fica fora de amistosos Felipao calls Kaka and Diego Costa Ronaldinho out of friendlies in Portuguese Globo Esporte 5 March 2013 Retrieved 5 March 2013 Italy 2 2 Brazil Balotelli beauty ensures Swiss spectacular ends all square Goal com 21 March 2013 Retrieved 29 September 2013 Webber Tom 25 March 2014 Brazil 1 1 Russia Goal com Retrieved 22 August 2014 a b La FEF ya negocia la llamada de Diego Costa a la Seleccion FEF in negotiations to call Diego Costa to national team in Spanish Diario AS 25 September 2013 Retrieved 26 September 2013 Diego Costa granted citizenship Football Espana 5 July 2013 Retrieved 29 September 2013 Why can Diego Costa play for Spain FIFA s eligibility rules explained Goal Retrieved 2 September 2020 Diego Costa Brazil born striker commits to Spain BBC Sport 29 October 2013 Retrieved 30 October 2013 Rice Simon 13 June 2014 World Cup 2014 Diego Costa booed by locals during Spain v Netherlands The Independent Retrieved 29 August 2014 CBF demands Diego Costa loses Brazilian citizenship Goal com 30 October 2013 Retrieved 11 January 2014 Mata and Torres miss out for Spain ESPN FC 28 February 2014 Retrieved 28 February 2014 Pedro breaks Italy s resistance in Madrid UEFA 5 March 2014 Retrieved 6 March 2014 World Cup 2014 Diego Costa and Fernando Torres in Spain squad BBC Sport 13 May 2014 Retrieved 13 May 2014 World Cup 2014 Spain drop Alvaro Negredo and Jesus Navas BBC Sport 31 May 2014 Retrieved 31 May 2014 El Salvador 0 2 Spain BBC Sport 8 June 2014 Retrieved 8 June 2014 Spain 1 5 Netherlands BBC Sport 13 June 2014 Retrieved 13 June 2014 Rice Simon 13 June 2014 World Cup 2014 Diego Costa booed by locals during Spain v Netherlands The Independent Retrieved 26 August 2020 Spain 0 2 Chile BBC 18 June 2014 Retrieved 26 June 2014 Australia 0 3 Spain ref gt He was an unused substitute in the team s third match a 3 0 defeat of Australia BBC 23 June 2014 Retrieved 26 June 2014 European champions Spain responded to their shock defeat by Slovakia with a comfortable win in Luxembourg BBC Sport 12 October 2014 Retrieved 12 October 2014 a b Spain s Diego Costa backed by Vicente del Bosque despite Euro 2016 misfire The Guardian Reuters 6 September 2015 Retrieved 7 September 2015 Euro 2016 Diego Costa Juan Mata amp Fernando Torres not in Spain squad BBC Sport 17 May 2016 Retrieved 17 May 2016 Diego Costa thanks Spain team mates after Liechtenstein rout Sky Sports Reuters 6 September 2016 Retrieved 27 September 2016 Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata left out of Spain s World Cup squad The Guardian 21 May 2018 Retrieved 22 May 2018 Ronaldo illuminates stellar draw with Spain FIFA 15 June 2018 Archived from the original on 12 June 2018 Retrieved 16 June 2018 World Cup 2018 Iran vs Spain Highlights Diego Costa Scores Only Goal As Spain Edge Iran 1 0 NDTV Sports 20 June 2018 Retrieved 20 June 2018 Guillen 2015 p 3 a b Guillen 2015 p 14 Guillen 2015 p 21 Guillen 2015 p 31 Guillen 2015 p 49 Guillen 2015 p 67 Dorrington Nick 1 April 2014 Explaining the Success of Atletico Madrid Striker Diego Costa Bleacher Report Retrieved 6 June 2020 Savage Robbie 16 August 2014 Robbie Savage How Diego Costa gives Chelsea the finishing touch BBC Sport Retrieved 22 August 2014 a b Diego Costa Jose Mourinho hails special Chelsea striker BBC Sport 13 September 2014 Retrieved 13 September 2014 Bascombe Chris 18 August 2014 Cesc Fabregas Diego Costa and Thibaut Courtois How did Chelsea s new signings fare in win at Burnley The Daily Telegraph Retrieved 22 August 2014 Winter Henry 15 August 2014 Premier League season preview 2014 15 Diego Costa powers Chelsea s charge for the title The Telegraph Retrieved 6 June 2020 a b Carlisle Jeff 24 June 2018 Diego Costa doesn t fit Spain style but sometimes they need a battering ram ESPN FC Retrieved 7 June 2020 How Diego Costa is running less but scoring more and why it should worry Spurs FourFourTwo 25 November 2016 Retrieved 6 June 2020 Pettigrove Jason 2 May 2014 Why Diego Costa Will Win Chelsea the Premier League Bleacher Report Retrieved 7 June 2020 Pettigrove Jason 8 April 2014 Imagining a Barcelona Team with Atletico Madrid Striker Diego Costa in Attack Bleacher Report Retrieved 7 June 2020 Medina David G Brooke Charlie 2 November 2018 Griezmann needs Diego Costa Marca Retrieved 7 June 2020 Matchett Karl 10 July 2014 Atletico Madrid Signing Mario Mandzukic a Good Move to Replace Diego Costa Bleacher Report Retrieved 7 June 2020 Dudko James 24 November 2015 Jose Mourinho Addresses Diego Costa Argument After Chelsea Beat Maccabi Tel Aviv Bleacher Report Retrieved 7 June 2020 Smith Adam 24 November 2016 Zlatan Ibrahimovic versus Costa Firmino Aguero Sanchez and Kane Sky Sports Retrieved 27 December 2016 West Andy 19 September 2014 Diego Costa Is Chelsea striker just a fast starter or the real deal BBC Sport Retrieved 7 June 2020 James Stuart 23 September 2017 Alvaro Morata strikes treble for Chelsea in crushing defeat of Stoke The Guardian Retrieved 7 June 2020 Faulks Will 26 April 2020 Diego Costa talks up Brazil return as Atletico ready to move on Football Espana Retrieved 7 June 2020 Sheen Tom 17 February 2015 Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs Diego Costa Who is the better striker The Independent Retrieved 26 December 2016 Lowe Sid 3 January 2018 Diego Costa back in the old routine with a debut goal for Atletico Madrid The Guardian Retrieved 6 June 2020 Miller Nick 21 September 2015 Diego Costa Luis Suarez and Pepe among football s wind up merchants ESPN Retrieved 21 September 2015 Bevan Chris 31 August 2014 Diego Costa Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho s perfect kind of player BBC Sport Retrieved 31 August 2014 Bailey Ryan 9 October 2014 Diego Costa and Martin Skrtel Get Physical During Euro 2016 Qualifier Bleacher Report Retrieved 20 November 2015 Twomey Liam 27 January 2015 Brendan Rodgers condemns nasty Diego Costa Goal com Retrieved 20 February 2015 Chelsea striker Diego Costa says he is a strong but noble player BBC Sport 13 February 2015 Retrieved 15 February 2015 Estos son los futbolistas mas odiados del mundo These are the world s most hated footballers El Mundo Deportivo in Spanish 28 December 2015 Retrieved 29 December 2015 Diego Costa at Soccerway a b Diego Costa National Football Teams com Retrieved 22 August 2014 Diego Costa European Football Retrieved 25 March 2017 Diego Costa His last trophy the story of his abrupt Atletico departure and a possible move to Turkey Marca 18 June 2021 Hafez Shamoon 16 May 2018 Marseille 0 3 Atletico Madrid BBC Sport Retrieved 27 April 2019 Slick Atletico seal Super Cup success UEFA 27 August 2010 Archived from the original on 24 October 2018 Sanders Emma 15 August 2018 Real Madrid 2 4 Atletico Madrid BBC Sport Retrieved 27 April 2019 a b Diego Costa Overview Premier League Retrieved 29 September 2018 McNulty Phil 27 May 2017 Arsenal 2 1 Chelsea BBC Sport Retrieved 18 May 2019 McNulty Phil 1 March 2015 Chelsea 2 0 Tottenham Hotspur BBC Sport Retrieved 27 April 2019 Atletico Mineiro wins 1st Brazilian championship in 50 years AP NEWS 3 December 2021 Archived from the original on 3 December 2021 Retrieved 3 December 2021 Liga BBVA team of the season Archived from the original on 5 December 2018 Retrieved 26 January 2016 Diego Costa gana el Trofeo EFE como mejor iberoamericano de la Liga espanola Diego Costa wins the Trofeo EFE as the best Ibero American in the Spanish Liga El Economista in Spanish 18 May 2014 Retrieved 13 September 2014 UEFA Champions League squad of the season UEFA 2 June 2014 Retrieved 26 January 2016 Simeone Courtois and Diego Costa received awards from MARCA Atletico de Madrid 10 November 2014 Costa sets UEFA Super Cup record with first minute goal against Real Madrid Goal com 15 August 2018 External links nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Diego Costa Wolverhampton profile Archived 7 November 2022 at the Wayback Machine Atletico Madrid profile Archived 18 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine Diego Costa at BDFutbol nbsp Diego Costa at Soccerbase nbsp Diego Costa at Premier League Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Diego Costa amp oldid 1187362353, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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