Tuesday, 22nd October, 2013
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is continuing the war of words over Diego Costa, insisting there is "no way" the Atletico Madrid striker should play for anyone but the Selecao.
Costa's desire to switch nationalities has been facing a few hurdles, but Spain looked confident they would get an effective no-objection certificate over the player.
Costa has played two friendlies for Brazil, but Spain were hoping the CBF would certify they had not been official matches, meaning Costa would be free to switch.
However, Scolari has not given up on retaining Costa, even hitting out at the Spanish media for "inventing stories", while he last week claimed Costa was still available to him in the preliminary 45-man squad.
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Scolari continued that theme yesterday, telling Globoesporte: "Having played two friendlies with Brazil, there should be no way that he can play for another country.
"It does not take away my freedom to choose. Only I will know if he will be called or not. But I do not take away that opportunity nor the freedom to decide."
While Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has praised Costa as a fit for his team, Brazil's Dante has urged the forward to reconsider.
"He is a great player, who fights a lot and has a lot of aggression", Dante said earlier this month. "All teams in the world would want him. I prefer he plays for us than for Spain."
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