Diego Costa: My father named me after Maradona

Atletico Madrid striker, Diego Costa is on the verge of making his international debut with Spain and stated that the aggressive, fighter on the pitch is the opposite of the Diego Costa off it.

In an interview with Canal+’s ‘Espacio Reservado’, Costa first addressed the misconceptions people draw about him and his rise from Brazil to Europe.

“If people knew me, they’d change their minds.  I’m very shy, I get embarrassed doing interviews.  I’m in my own little world, as they say because that way I can do things I like and not worry about the bad.

“In Brazil, every father dreams of their sons being footballers.  My family loves football and my father named me Diego after Maradona.  My father worked very hard to make a good life for me.  He made a good life for us.  I have made my father’s dream come true.  And mine, because I can give them a better life.  My first contact with football was in the streets.  Discipline is very important. In the streets, you need to be the smartest or they’ll hit you.  I lacked discipline in my training.  When I played in the streets, if someone touched me…I couldn’t play on the same team as my brother because we’d end up fighting each other.  I couldn’t lose, I had no self-control…In life you learn these things, how they are.  I’ve done bad things and later regretted it.  I improved myself every day.

“When the idea of going to Europe, to Portugal came up, my father was afraid because there are a lot of agents who take very young footballers to Europe and later abandon them.  At first, it was difficult to get used to the different lifestyle.  But I was only thinking about making a better life for myself, fighting and scrapping.  If I hadn’t of made it, I would’ve at least had a clear conscience.  In life you have to fight and scrap every day to get better.”

Costa then went on to discuss his adventures in Europe and the injury that nearly changed his professional career.

“In Portugal, Atletico Madrid signed me and I bounced around to various teams (Valladolid, Celta…)  I didn’t like all the changes.  I like to be in one city, in one house, relaxed.  But all the team’s I played for were a luxury.  They gave me life.  I felt important, I was finding my own.  I’ve left every one of those teams with great friendships.  The people who know me, know that I fought to be who I am today.

“There was an offer from Turkey.  Everything was done and everything depended on me.  I then went to training and got injured.  Divine intervention.  I believe in God and if this happened there was a reason for it.  I then fought again and started a new from there.”

Costa went on to make one last loan spell, this time with Rayo Vallecano, where a routine recovery spell would turn him into a rising star.

“People were very surprised by the goals I scored in Vallecas after my injury.  I played at a good pace and did things very well.  There are always doubts after an injury like that, but I showed people I was much better than before.  Vallecas gave me the love I needed, it was a luxury.”

The Brazilian-born striker then spoke about Atletico Madrid manager, Diego Simone, who has guided Costa to new heights and fame.

“Simone was very clear with me.  And in life, people need to be very direct.  Simeone is very fair.  My life was always about fighting and scrapping.  It’s something I have within me, that’s how it is. When it comes, I don’t let it escape.

“The goal in the Copa del Rey final in my most important up to his point.  It’s always an important goal when it comes in a final and even more so after winning after so many years, then the title…it’s a great memory.”

Costa then opened up about his decision to join Spain over Brazil and insists that Barcelona defender; Dani Alves did not try and convince him to re-join Brazil.

“I never would’ve imagined this.  When I heard there was interest from Spain I began to imagine things, and thought about the reasons why not.  It’s a privilege that the champions of the word show an interest in me and a priviledge to support the great players they have.  I felt important, that’s something I value a lot.  Vicente Del Bosque showed me the kind of person he is.  I like to speak to people face to face, I can sense the truth and lies and Vicente was very clear.  He didn’t promise me anything.  I don’t like it when they promise me things, I like to fight for things…this is what I value.

“Dani Alves never tried to convince me to re-join Brazil.  Neither he nor anyone from Brazil.  The Brazilian national team call up was a dream, but only for a moment.  Scolari called me up he thought I’d be useful, not to annoy and prevent me from playing with Spain.

“People in Brazil will enjoy the matches.  I don’t think they’ll look to do harm to my family.  We Brazilians have a lot of passion, but there are many who will support Spain.”

Costa concluded by stressing that he and Real Madrid defender, Sergio Ramos get on well and continue to improve their relationship.

“We get on well, we have the same character. We fight and fight but when the game’s over that’s it.  I’m very excited to put on the Spain shirt and sweat for it.  When I do, I’ll be thinking about my family and the people that supported me.  All I have has come from working hard and fighting and if I have the shirt, it’s because I deserved it.”