Thursday, 24th October, 2013
Brazil's football federation has taken a giant step towards retaining Diego Costa by writing to FIFA about their decision to call up the player.
So far, Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari had been vocal about not allowing Costa his desired allegiance switch to Spain and instead calling him up for next year's World Cup.
Spain, on the other hand, were confident Costa would change to La Roja, despite having played two friendlies for Brazil earlier this year.
However, the CBF have backed Scolari by issuing written notice of their intention to hand Costa two more potential caps in November, when Brazil take on Honduras and Chile in friendlies.
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A statement on the CBF's website today read: "The CBF has sent FIFA a document stating that coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will call Diego Costa again for the Brazilian national team's friendlies in November."
FIFA rules, though, also state that it will be down to the player's wish as well where he chooses to play international football, as Costa holds dual nationality with both countries in question.
It is believed that Costa is very keen on the swap, though the Atletico Madrid forward is yet to officially sign on the dotted line with the Spanish federation (RFEF).
If the RFEF want Costa on their side, the CBF will be required to send a certificate which waives the friendlies he has already played, something that seems unlikely at the moment,
Meanwhile, Scolari remained firm in his wish to keep hold of Costa, with his latest statement reading: "If the World Cup was today or tomorrow, Diego would be called up."
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