Thursday, 24th October, 2013
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has upped the ante over Diego Costa by stating that the Atletico Madrid forward will be called up for two friendlies in November, something deemed by the boss as "the player's decision".
Costa is at the centre of a battle between Spain and Brazil over national allegiance, with the player seemingly keen to play for Spain.
At one point, it seemed only administrative hurdles were preventing Costa from his dream, but Scolari has refused to let the matter lie on several occasions.
And he has now insisted Costa will be in line for two more caps – he earned two earlier this year – whilst also vowing to take up the matter of Spain's persistence with the Brazilian federation (CBF).
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"I spoke to [agent] Jorge Mendes to say that I intend to call Diego for both games in November and then decide who to call for the World Cup", Scolari was quoted by Marca as saying.
"We have information that the Spanish team is going to call [him], but he has played two games for Brazil. I think he will choose Brazil and not Spain. It's the player's decision.
"If the World Cup was today or tomorrow, Diego would be called up.
"I will keep a meeting with the President of the Brazilian Confederation showing my dissatisfaction with the pressure applied by the Spanish Federation."
Meanwhile, Spanish reports have claimed that Costa is just a signature away from the switch, though according to AS, the player is yet to put it in writing.
The document is meant to imply that Costa will waive his two friendlies from earlier this year, something considered necessary to comply with FIFA regulations.
Brazil are set to play two friendlies in November, against Honduras in Miami and against Chile in Toronto.
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