Floundering at Braga, this striker became one of the best strikers on the planet

This was in his native Brazil Diego Costa He scores his first goal. Trained in Barcelona EC, a club from São Paulo, however, with which he will not play any professional matches. During a youth tournament during which he was sent off in the first match, he caught the attention of the famous Portuguese agent Jorge MendezWho was offered his first professional contract in Braga.

Difficult integration

At 17 years old, Costa was about to discover European football. The young striker arrived in northern Portugal in February 2006, where he plays for Braga’s reserve team. But their integration is delicate. Facing isolation and difficulty adapting to the relatively cold climate in the region, he died A complicated few months He fails to impose himself.

In the 2006-2007 season he was loaned to FC Penafiel, in the second degree, to become more stringent. He flourished a bit more there, scoring 5 goals in 13 appearances and really attracting the attention of the clubAtletico Madrid. As of December, the 18-year-old striker signed with Colchoneros who immediately loaned him out to… Braga. Returning to the club he left a few months ago, Costa has more credit. But after 9 matches and a small goal against Parma in the UEFA Cup, he left Portugal forever.

World star

If his visit to the Land of Carnations does not leave a real impression, the Brazilian – who will later obtain Spanish citizenship – will reveal himself in Spain, thanks to Several loans. It’s really exploding Rayo Vallecano During the financial year 2011-2012 before he spent three excellent seasons at Atletico Madrid which would make him one of the most feared strikers on the planet.

The former Spain international (10 goals in 24 international matches), is known for his exceptional sense of purpose as well as his strong personality and ability. Continuous provocationsHe would then wreak havoc at Chelsea (59 in 120 appearances), in the Premier League, between 2014 and 2018. Now 35 years old, he is still active alongside the team. Botafogoin Brazil.