What is Diego Costa doing now?
James Shearman
- Updated: 22 Sept 2021 16:02 BST
- 3 min read
Diego Costa enjoyed successful spells at Atletico Madrid and Chelsea as one of the elite strikers in world football, but went without a club for over six months earlier this year.
He had his contract terminated at the Wanda Metropolitano in January and failed to agree a contract with another top European club.
However, the 32-year-old secured a move to Atletico Mineiro during the summer transfer window, meaning a return to his homeland of Brazil.
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Costa left the country at 17 for Portuguese club Braga, but has now chosen to return to the place he grew up.
Return to Brazil
Costa became the fourth high-profile player to sign for Atletico Mineiro, after ex-Porto star Hulk, Argentine midfielder Ignacio Fernandez and Chilean forward Eduardo Vargas.
And the moves have clearly had the desired effect on the club, as they currently sit seven points clear at the top of the Brazilian Serie A.
But Costa has only featured in three league games as he looks to gradually regain match sharpness after such a lengthy period out of the game.
That said, he has already scored twice for the 2013 Copa Libertadores champions.
Diego Costa 14/15 or Romelu Lukaku 21/22 - Who do you think had the better start to their Chelsea career?
Data suggests it's a lot closer than expected. pic.twitter.com/uQ8ndxTdrm— ExpectedChelsea (@ExpectedChelsea) September 21, 2021
The most interesting aspect of the move, however, is that he is returning to the nation he represented twice, in friendlies, before switching allegiances to Spain in 2013.
The Premier League winner featured 24 times for La Roja, scoring 10 goals, but appears to have not lost sight of his roots with this career move.
"Football changes overnight and you have to keep your feet on the ground," he said upon signing for his current team.
"It was my decision to come here. It felt like the right thing to do personally and for my family."
So while Costa may have an aggressive persona on the pitch, he is perhaps more sentimental than you would imagine.
