Wednesday, 30th October, 2013
Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa admitted it had been "a very difficult decision" to forgo the Selecao in favour of playing international football with Spain.
Brazil-born Costa yesterday confirmed his intention to represent Spain from now on, owing to his dual nationality and the fact that he has never played club football in Brazil.
The South American nation had pushed the matter to the hilt, with Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari insisting till the end that Costa was available to him.
However, the matter was laid to rest yesterday, with Scolari later claiming Costa had "turned his back on a dream of millions".
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And it is a matter that weighed heavily on Costa, who today told his club's website: "It was a very difficult decision. It was between the country where I was born and the country that has given me everything.
"I thought about it and did what was right and best, which was to play for Spain because here I've done everything.
"All that I have in my life has been given to me by this country. I have a special affection, and here I feel very much appreciated by all for what I do every day. I feel valued in Spain.
"I hope that people will understand that at no point is this me letting go of Brazil. I have family in Brazil and I hope God allows me to go live there when I have finished playing football.
"Hopefully people will understand it and respect it, because it has been a very difficult decision."
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