Costa, who will wear the number 19, said he felt “happy” and “anxious” to play for the first time in the Brazilian Championship, so, as he pointed out, he spent most of his career in Europe.
The Spanish-Brazilian striker Diego Costa stated on Thursday, in his presentation as a new player of Atlético Mineiro, that he wants to “go down in the history” of Belo Horizonte’s club, which captivated him with his greatness and his “ambitious” sports project.
“I came here to fight, to contribute something from my experience, to conquer something,” the former Atletico Madrid and Chelsea footballer said at his first press conference with the Roosters shirt.
Costa, 32, a native of Lagarto, a town in the northeastern region of Brazil, signed a contract with Mineiro until December 2022.
The ram was free on the market since at the end of 2020 he decided to end his career at Atletico Madrid, where he lived his best years as a footballer.
“Our goal is to win titles, we must not be afraid to say it. I came to win titles, to enter the history of the Gall,” he said, although he urged to keep “the feet on land “and go” step by step. “
Costa, who will wear the number 19, said he felt “happy” and “anxious” to play for the first time in the Brazilian Championship, so, as he pointed out, he spent most of his career in Europe.
Asked why he chose Mineiro, he replied that because of the “greatness” of the club and the highly “qualified” staff it has this year, with players, as he mentioned, such as Brazilian striker Hulk and Argentine midfielder Nacho Fernández .
“It’s already a positive thing to know that one is going to play in a big club. These are factors that make everything easier. I had other possibilities,” but “this project is ambitious,” he said.
He also said that not having signed with another team before was a “personal” decision, but clarified that he is physically “fine”.
“I passed all the possible tests. They were positively surprised. It is logical that the physical conditions, of contact with the ball, are not the best possible, but if I could, I would have made my debut yesterday,” he said.
Costa watched on the eve from the stands of the Mineirao Stadium the 3-0 victory of the roosters over the Argentine River Plate with which they certified their qualification for the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores.
“I felt the warmth of the fans. I was quite impressed. I have experience, I played in big clubs in Europe, but I perceived that this inflated is different. I hope to reciprocate by giving them joys,” he promised.
Atlético Mineiro is also the outstanding leader of the Brazilian League, with a five-point advantage over Palmeiras, and is still alive in the Copa del Brazil, where it will play the quarterfinals against Fluminense in Rio de Janeiro.
Costa revealed that the locker room has welcomed him with open arms and that he missed “living this day to day” on a football team.
“I haven’t experienced this in six months,” he commented.