Brazil-born marksman now set to represent current world champions.
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In-form Atletico de Madrid striker Diego Costa has confirmed his intention to play for Spain and not the country of his birth Brazil, according to reports in the Daily Mail.
The 25-year-old had already featured for Brazil in two friendly internationals against both Italy and Russia earlier this year, however, as those were not competitive fixtures, they do not have any affect on the final identity of Costa’s team nationality.
With the striker having now confirmed in writing that he does want to represent Spain, this controversial matter will finally come to an end if La Roja manager Vincente del Bosque opts to call Costa up for next month’s international double header with South Africa and Russia.
The five-time world champions, though, are far from impressed with the Brazil-born attacker’s recent actions, especially as Selecao coach Luiz Felipe Scolari had intended to play Costa up front in November’s friendlies against Honduras and Chile.
“This morning, Tuesday October 29, the Spanish-Brazilian player Diego Da Silva Costa, Diego Costa, attended the notary Serrano 30, where he added his signature to a document that manifests his intention to play for the Spanish national football team,” said a statement by the Spanish Football Federation.
“The forward has sent this document to Mr Julio Cesar Avelleda, secretary general of the Confederacao Brasileira de Futebol (CBF). It communicates his desire to be available for Spanish national coach Vicente del Bosque, from this moment.
“In this way, Diego Costa can play with Spain, in their next two games in November, if the national coach deems it opportune.”
Costa is currently enjoying a sensational season in front of goal in the Spanish capital, with the forward having already found the back of the net on 13 occasions in total in just 13 matches in all competitions for Diego Simeone’s high-flying side, including 11 strikes in only 10 La Liga outings for Atleti.