Atletico Madrid's prolific striker Diego Costa says he pledged his international allegiance to Spain over his native Brazil because he believes he owes his adopted country more.
The 25-year-old, La Liga's top scorer this season with 11 goals in 1o games so far, confirmed on Tuesday he was making himself available for Spain ahead of next year's World Cup, having been at the centre of a tug of war between the reigning world champions and the country of his birth.
"I hope people understand and respect my decision because it has been very difficult," said Costa. "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."
Costa played for Brazil in March, but as the match was a friendly he is still able to switch allegiances. "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 demand for Costa's services from two of the favourites to lift next year's World Cup represents a huge turnaround in the career of a player that only became a first-team regular at Atletico last season.
Although he came up through the youth ranks at Barcelona Esportivo Capela in Sao Paulo, his first professional contract was with Sporting Braga in Portugal, whom he joined in February 2006.
After joining Los Rojiblancos in 2007, he was farmed out on loan to Celta Vigo, Albacete, Valladolid and finally Rayo Vallecano. However, on his return to Atletico from Rayo last July, he was imbedded into a side on the up since the arrival of coach Diego Simeone in December 2011.
Costa struck up a fine partnership with Radamel Falcao and was the top scorer in the Copa del Rey as Atletico won the competition for the first time in 17 years.
His decision to represent Spain hands coach Vicente del Bosque a huge new weapon in attack as he plots his side's defence of the World Cup in less than nine months time.
The Atletico striker could make his debut for La Roja, provided he receives a call up, for the friendly against South Africa on November 19.
* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.
