Football
Adriana Garcia 8y

Chelsea's Diego Costa: Spain must accept me, I won't change

Diego Costa bears no grudges towards former Spain coach Vicente del Bosque after being overlooked for Euro 2016.

Del Bosque, who picked Costa for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after he became a naturalised player, stepped down after Spain's round-of-16 elimination in France this summer.

Costa has been included in new Spain coach Julen Lopetegui's squad for Thursday's friendly against Belgium and the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein in Leon four days later.

"I only have words of gratitude for Del Bosque," Costa said during a news conference. "I didn't get a call after not being selected for the European Championship in France but I'm not asking for an explanation."

Costa's fiery temperament got him a three-match ban in April while playing for Chelsea and there were suggestions that it cost him his place in the Spain squad.

"If I didn't go to Euro [2016] because of my character, I would never come anymore to the national team because I'm not going to change the way I play," the 27-year-old said. "I'm like this, it's my character and this is what allows me to win games."

The Brazil-born Costa has struggled to make an impact with Spain, scoring just once in 10 international appearances since becoming a naturalised player in 2014.

However, after a difficult year at Chelsea, he has enjoyed a strong start to the 2016-17 campaign. Costa, who was linked with a return to Atletico Madrid this summer, has scored two goals in two league starts for Chelsea.

"We all knew the possibility existed for me to return to Atleti but it was not to be because of minor details," Costa said. "I thank the Atleti fans and [coach Diego Simeone] for his trust.

"Now I'm at Chelsea and I'm happy there. I already started the season with them. I wish Atleti a good season just like last and that they win titles. I was enthusiastic about returning, I cannot deny it."

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