A biography for Diego Costahasn’t been written yet.
“On the pitch, I will always be like that. That's my character, and I will always compete and compete - always. I'm a different guy off the pitch, as you can see, but on the pitch, I will not change.”
“On Conte's first day, I told him that I wanted to join Atletico, and he was upset with me and didn't even look at me. Luckily, I started to score goals.”
“I have a go at defenders, and they have a go at me. We argue... Whatever happens on the pitch stays on the pitch.”
“When a game comes around, that's the time to be serious. During the week, the training sessions are serious, but away from there, you have to relax and switch off.”
“Always, when things don't go the way that everyone expects, people - the supporters as well - always look for someone to blame. In some cases, they blame the players.”
“In England, the referees don't call many fouls, as opposed to Spanish football. Consequently, you must be really strong all through the 90 minutes.”
“I want to be on the pitch, and I want to be cool.”
“Work goes well if you give your best with the guy beside you.”
“It's important to keep winning games.”
“People ended up not thinking much of me. They saw me as a bit of a troublemaker. It's important to change people's impressions.”
“I think it's really important for managers to be liked by his players because ultimately, on the pitch, those players will give everything for their manager.”
“You know when you have a manager that is always successful, is always in the title race and always playing in the Champions League.”
“I am glad I have given my family the life I wanted for them. That is my responsibility.”
“Some people seem to think football is like theatre and that everyone has to play the good guy. But I think that you transform when you cross the white line: you're not the same person as off it.”
“We always have to show our character on the pitch, and I show my feelings.”
“I try to reciprocate and to give back to the fans with my performances, like a big 'thank you' for the love they show me.”
“Sometimes I even tell my relatives and my friends that I get a lot of love from the fans, and I'm not sure if it's deserved.”
“Put me there on the pitch if you want to see how much it means to me or how hungry I am to win more medals.”
“Atletico know I have a special feeling for the team. I lived the best moment of my career there.”
“I am Brazilian, and that is not going to change, but I want to win the World Cup with Spain.”