Diego Costa has admitted on an interview for Spanish newspaper Movistar – after being called up to the Spain squad for friendlies against Belgium and Liechtenstein under new boss Julen Lopetegui – that he was keen to make a return to Atletico Madrid this summer, AS reports.
The Brazilian-born Spain international was brought to Stamford Bridge from the La Liga side in 2013, and the Atleti manager Diego Simeone did his everything to re-sign Costa, as week-long speculations kept running and running.
Now the 27-year-old forward has admitted to have been keen on moving back, as he finally returned to national team duty after missing out on Euro 2016.
Everybody knows there was a possibility of going back to Atlético but it didn’t happen because of a few details. I thank the fans and Cholo for his faith.
Now I’m at Chelsea, I’m happy there and I’ve started the season with them. I hope Atlético do well this season like last year and win titles. I wanted to go back, I won’t lie about it.
Costa is also adamant of not changing the style of his play, as he was rumoured to have not been called up for Euro 2016 due to his driven personality.
If I wasn’t called up for the Euros because of my character, I won’t play for Spain again because I won’t change my way of playing.
That’s the way I am, and that’s what carries me to win games.
Despite not being invited to France this summer, Costa feels no resentment towards the then Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque, and has nothing but thankful words for him.
I have nothing but words of thanks for Del Bosque. He didn’t give me a call to tell me I wasn’t being called up for France, but I didn’t ask for any explanations.
