Atletico Madrid star striker Diego Costa has decided that he would prefer to play for his adopted country Spain rather than the country of his birth Brazil.
“I hope people understand and respect my decision because it has been very difficult,” the 25-year-old said.
“It was very difficult to choose between the country where you were born and the country that has given you everything.
“I looked at everything and saw that it was right and best to play for Spain because this is where I have done everything. All that I have in my life was given to me by this country.
“I have a special affection. Here I feel very appreciated for all that I do and I feel the love of the people.”
The Atletico striker was born in Brazil before first moving to Portugal at the age of 16 joining Portuguese club Braga in 2006 before moving to Spain to play for Atletico Madrid a year later.
“I hope people understand because it is not something against Brazil…” he added. “I have family in Brazil and it is the country where I was born. I hope that God allows me to live there again in the future.”
The decision to join Spain ahead of the World Cup gives the country’s coach Vicente del Bosque one of the best strikers in the World leading La Liga with 11 goals in ten league games this season.
