Top 10 Astonishing Facts about Diego Costa

Diego Costa photo by Aleksandr Osipov from Ukraine-Wikimedia Commons.

Top 10 Astonishing Facts about Diego Costa

Diego Costa photo by Aleksandr Osipov from Ukraine-Wikimedia Commons.

Diego da Silva Costa commonly known as Diego Costa is a professional footballer who last played as a striker for Brasileirao club Atletico Mineiro and the Spain national team.

Costa is a dual citizen of Brazil and Spain however he played twice for Brazil in 2013 before declaring 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 represented them at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups.

Here are the top 10 astonishing facts about Diego Costa.

1. He was 18 when he joined his First Professional Club Braga in Portugal

Diego Costa photo by Анна Джалалян-Wikimedia Commons.

Whilst in Sao Paulo Costa met agent Jorge Mendes who took the teenager to Europe where he would sign him for S.C Brage in Portugal.

However, he would join the reserves before being loaned to F.C Penafiel in the second division but he soon is snapped up by Atletico Madrid in 2006.

Furthermore, Costa would be loaned out over the next few years before returning to Atletico in 2010 as a backup for Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan.

2. Diego Costa was not Coached until the Age of 16

Diego Costa photo by Carlos Delgado-Wikimedia Commons.

Costa first learned the game on the streets of his hometown playing against those much bigger than him.

However, he then moved to Sao Paulo where his uncle encouraged him to join the local team where he became an instant success despite never receiving any coaching.

Furthermore, his physical style may well come from this early introduction he had to the game.

3. In the Domestic Leagues, he has picked up 64 Yellow Cards

Diego Costa photo by CFC Unofficial (Debs)-Wikimedia Commons.

Interestingly Costa has a habit of getting under the opponent’s skin and he is famous for his hard-nosed physical play.

However, this sees him clash with the opposition and the referees often and as a result, he is booked on a regular basis.

Furthermore, in domestic leagues, Costa has picked up a whopping 64 yellow cards but has only been sent off 3 times in league play.

This includes 8 yellow cards in the league this season and this will be something that Mourinho tries to address this summer to avoid another suspension.

4. David Costa and Jose Mourinho have the same Agent

After a breakout season at Atletico Madrid, Diego Costa became a target for many of the top clubs in Europe.

He ended up at Chelsea and the fact that he and Mourinho share the same agent may have aided in this.

However, both are represented by influential agent Jorge Mendes who has other clients that include Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria, David De Gea, and Pepe.

5. He played 2 games for Brazil before changing to the Spanish National Team

Costa was born in Brazil before moving to Europe when he was a teenager and he was granted Spanish nationality in July 2013.

He played 2 games for the Brazilian national team but upon being granted Spanish nationality he requested a change and now has made 7 appearances for the Spanish team.

6. Diego Costa has won 6 Trophies with Atletico Madrid and Chelsea

Costa is set to have a very bright future ahead of him and you can see him lifting plenty more trophies in the next few years.

However, he already has 6 trophies to his name doing the league and domestic cup double season.

Prior to this Costa had lifted the La Liga title 2013\14, the UEFA Super Cup 2010 and 2012, and the Copa Del Rey 2012\13.

Furthermore, like most top players Costa will look to add the Champions League trophy to his collection.  

7. He Fired Atletico to their first La Liga Trophy since 1996

2013\14 proved to be a breakout season for Diego Costa and his excellent goal scoring helped fire Atletico to their first La Liga trophy since 1996.

However, Costa scored 27 league goals making him 3^rd highest scorer in the division.

He would also score against his current employers in the Champions League helping Atletico advance to the final for the first time since 1974.

In addition, it was quite a year for Diego and Atletico and he has not looked back since.

8. Diego Costa scored 20 goals in his first Season in the Premier League

Diego scored in his first 4 competitive matches for Chelsea including a hat-trick in the 4^th game and also picked up Player of the Month in August.

However, he would go on to net 20 goals in the league in 26 appearances earning him a selection to the PFA team of the year along with 5 of his teammates.  

9. He is Chelsea’s second most Expensive Signing

Diego Costa joined Chelsea from Atletico Madrid in July the year 2014 for a sum of 32 million euros.

However, this makes him the joint 2^nd most expensive signing for the Blues along with Eden Hazard with fellow Spaniard Fernando Torres topping the list at 50 million euros in 2011.

Furthermore, Torres managed 20 league goals in 4 years at Stamford Bridge with Costa matching that total in just 26 league appearances.

10. Diego Costa was named the Most hated Footballer in 2015

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.

However, the French newspaper L’Equipe named him the most hated footballer in December 2015 based on his provocative and violent behavior.