Diego Costa is a Brazilian-born Spanish international professional footballer who chose to switch allegiance to Spain after being granted citizenship, despite having already played twice for his home country.
Costa is best described as a confrontational, tough player, mental game, win at all costs, who might be the best friend, but most of all a terror to an opponent on the pitch. He is well known around the world from his time in England, representing Chelsea Football Club, as well as in Spain, representing Atletico Madrid.
Here’s everything you need to know about Diego Costa: he went from being a teenage truck driver in Brazil to becoming one of Europe’s most feared strikers.
the biography
Diego Costa was born Diego da Silva Costa on October 7, 1988 in Lagarto, Sergipe, Brazil, to José de Jesus and Josileide Costa. His father was a big football fan and he chose to name his son after Argentine legend Diego Maradona. His other son, Jair, was named after Brazilian footballer Jairzinho.
Costa played a lot of street football while growing up. He attributed his mental toughness to excelling at street football. Costa started getting into the slopes when he was 15 years old. After failing to impress in trials for his hometown teams, Costa moved to Sao Paulo, Brazil’s most populous city, to live and work with his uncle, while trying his hand at club football. from the city.
Thanks to his uncle’s connections, Costa was able to land a contract with a team south of the city called Barcelona Esportiva Capela. His performances caught the eye of one of the most influential football agents in the world, Jorge Mendes, who offered him a contract with Portuguese club Sporting de Braga. Costa seized the opportunity despite the objections of his father, who was suspicious of his early departure to Europe.
Professional soccer
In February 2006, Costa made his first appearance for Braga reserves. He was then loaned out to Portuguese division FC Penafiel where his performances continued to impress his coaches and scouts. In December 2006, Atletico Madrid called for the striker’s signature and he joined the club from the Spanish capital for 1.5 million euros and 50% of the player’s rights.
Costa, however, was immediately loaned out to Braga for the remainder of the season. He notably scored a last-minute winner against Parma for the Portuguese club in the round of 16 of the UEFA Cup.
In July 2007, Costa was introduced to AtleticoMadrid fans as the new Kaka. Later that month, he was loaned to Celta de Vigo (Spain) for the season. His disruptive nature was evident to everyone while at Celta. He was sent off several times for diving, dissenting, showboating/celebrating in front of opposition players and supporters, and for fighting.
Despite all the negative sides of his game, Costa was still wanted by many teams. In 2008, he was again loaned by Atletico to another Spanish second division team, Albacete. There he became a central figure in their fight to avoid relegation. He also became something of a cult hero when he threatened to go on strike unless all of the club’s non-playing staff were paid in full.
Diego Costa spent the 2009-2010 season with Valladolid which ended up relegating them from the Spanish first division. He returned to Atletico in the summer of 2010 to replace Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan. However, under manager Quique Sanchez Flores, Costa became a starter, scoring a total of 64 goals in 135 appearances on both sides of a half-season loan spell at Rayo Vallecano and a knee injury.
After orchestrating Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final defeat, the Blues made Costa a transfer target and in the summer of 2014 triggered a £32m buyout clause. He immediately became a nightmare for Premier League defenders as he forged a partnership with Cesc Fabregas to lead Chelsea to a Premier League and League Cup double.
Costa’s antics followed him to the Premier League. In 2015, he was dubbed the Premier League’s dirtiest player and most hated footballer by French newspaper L’Equipe. He played a total of 120 games and scored 59 goals before falling out with Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.
In 2017, Diego Costa returned to Spain to continue his long-standing romance with Atletico Madrid.
Diego Costa’s Family – Brother, Girlfriend, Wife
Diego Costa’s brother, Jair Costa, has in the past been a spokesperson for his brother. Costa’s older brother, who played Brazilian football younger and had a three-month trial at Basque club Salvatierra, did not become a professional footballer like his brother.
Costa, former Brazilian clothing store owner and model Michele Zuanne, whom he met at a party in February 2010 in Madrid. The relationship, which seemed to have been made in heaven, began to crumble when Costa allegedly tried to make a pass on his younger sister a few months later. The two immediately separated after a confrontation.
The Spain international has since married and has a daughter. We don’t know who the woman is.
Height, weight and body statistics
Diego Costa’s height is recorded at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88m). The star striker, who has struggled with his weight in the past, currently weighs 85kg. Other body stats are as follows: Chest: 107cm (42in), Arms/Biceps: 38cm (15in) and Waist: 84cm (33in).
