View source for Diego Costa

{{Short description|Footballer (born 1988)}}
{{distinguish|Diogo Costa}}
{{For|other people named Diego Costa|Diego Costa (disambiguation)}}
{{pp-blp|expiry=indef|small=yes}}
{{Good article}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Portuguese name|da Silva|Costa}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Diego Costa
| image = Iran and Spain match at the FIFA World Cup 23.jpg
| upright = 
| caption = Costa with [[Spain national football team|Spain]] at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]]
| full_name = Diego da Silva Costa<ref>{{cite web |url=http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=56222 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190617200252/http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=56222 |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 June 2019 |title=Acta del Partido celebrado el 06 de abril de 2019, en Barcelona |trans-title=Minutes of the Match held on 6 April 2019, in Barcelona |publisher=Royal Spanish Football Federation |access-date=17 June 2019 |language=es }}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|10|7|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifadata.com/documents/FWC/2018/pdf/FWC_2018_Squadlists.pdf |title=FIFA World Cup Russia 2018: List of Players: Spain |publisher=FIFA |page=28 |date=15 July 2018 |access-date=17 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611000407/https://www.fifadata.com/documents/FWC/2018/pdf/FWC_2018_SQUADLISTS.PDF |archive-date=11 June 2019 }}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Lagarto, Sergipe|Lagarto]], [[Sergipe]], Brazil
| height = 1.86 m<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wolves.co.uk/teams/mens-first-team/diego-costa/ |title=Diego Costa |website=Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. |access-date=7 November 2022|archive-date=22 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322192110/https://www.wolves.co.uk/teams/mens-first-team/diego-costa/|url-status=dead }}</ref>
| position = [[Striker (association football)|Striker]]
| currentclub = 
| clubnumber = 
| youthclubs1 = [[Barcelona Esportivo Capela|Barcelona de Capela]]
| youthyears1 = 2004–2006
| years1 = 2006
| clubs1 = [[S.C. Braga|Braga]]
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2006
| clubs2 = → [[F.C. Penafiel|Penafiel]] (loan)
| caps2 = 13
| goals2 = 5
| years3 = 2007–2009
| clubs3 = [[Atlético Madrid]]
| caps3 = 0
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2007
| clubs4 = → [[S.C. Braga|Braga]] (loan)
| caps4 = 6
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2007–2008
| clubs5 = → [[RC Celta de Vigo|Celta]] (loan)
| caps5 = 30
| goals5 = 6
| years6 = 2008–2009
| clubs6 = → [[Albacete Balompié|Albacete]] (loan)
| caps6 = 35
| goals6 = 10
| years7 = 2009–2010
| clubs7 = [[Real Valladolid|Valladolid]]
| caps7 = 34
| goals7 = 8
| years8 = 2010–2014
| clubs8 = [[Atlético Madrid]]
| caps8 = 94
| goals8 = 43
| years9 = 2012
| clubs9 = → [[Rayo Vallecano]] (loan)
| caps9 = 16
| goals9 = 10
| years10 = 2014–2017<!-- Please do not change to 2018, the contract was signed in 2017 -->
| clubs10 = [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
| caps10 = 89
| goals10 = 52
| years11 = 2017–2020
| clubs11 = [[Atlético Madrid]]
| caps11 = 61
| goals11 = 12
| years12 = 2021–2022
| clubs12 = [[Atlético Mineiro]]
| caps12 = 15
| goals12 = 4
| years13 = 2022–2023
| clubs13 = [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]]
| caps13 = 23
| goals13 = 1
| years14 = 2023
| clubs14 = [[Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas|Botafogo]]
| caps14 = 12
| goals14 = 3
| years15 = 2024
| clubs15 = [[Grêmio FBPA|Grêmio]]
| caps15 = 20
| goals15 = 7
| nationalyears1 = 2013
| nationalteam1 = [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]]
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalteam2 = [[Spain national football team|Spain]]
| nationalyears2 = 2014–2018
| nationalcaps2 = 24
| nationalgoals2 = 10
| club-update = 22:43, 8 December 2024 (UTC)
}}
'''Diego da Silva Costa''' ({{IPA|es|ˈdjeɣo ða ˈsilβa ˈkosta|lang}}, {{IPA|pt-BR|dʒiˈeɡu dɐ ˈsiwvɐ ˈkɔstɐ|lang}}; born 7 October 1988)<ref name=scadere/><ref name="line-ups"/> is a professional [[Association football|footballer]] who most recently played as a [[Striker (association football)|striker]] for [[Campeonato Brasileiro Série A]] club [[Grêmio FBPA|Grêmio]].

Costa began his football career in his native Brazil before joining [[S.C. Braga|Braga]] in Portugal in 2006, aged 17. He never played for the club but spent time on loan at [[F.C. Penafiel|Penafiel]], and signed with Atlético Madrid the following year. Over the next two seasons he had loan periods with Braga, [[RC Celta de Vigo|Celta Vigo]] and [[Albacete Balompié|Albacete]]. His form earned him a move to fellow [[La Liga]] club [[Real Valladolid]] in 2009, where he spent one season, finishing as their top goalscorer, before returning to Atlético Madrid. Costa struggled to maintain a regular starting role with Atlético, and spent more time on loan, this time at [[Rayo Vallecano]], where he finished as the club's highest scorer that season.

In 2011, Costa returned to Atlético with a greater role. He blossomed as a goalscorer, and helped the team win a La Liga title, a [[Copa del Rey]] title, and a [[UEFA Super Cup]], as well as reaching the [[2014 UEFA Champions League final]]. In 2014, he was signed by [[Premier League]] club [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] in a deal worth €35 million (£32 million). In London, Costa won three trophies, including two Premier League titles and a [[EFL Cup|League Cup]]. In 2018, following a rift with head coach [[Antonio Conte]], Costa returned to Atlético Madrid in a club record transfer worth an initial €56 million,{{refn|group=note|Costa's transfer equates to €65 million when performance-related add-ons are included. His title as club record transfer was surpassed later that summer, when [[Thomas Lemar]] joined for €60 million.}} where he won a [[UEFA Europa League]] title and another [[2018 UEFA Super Cup|UEFA Super Cup]].

Costa is a dual citizen of Brazil and Spain. He played twice for [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] in 2013, before declaring his desire to represent Spain, having been granted [[Spanish nationality law|Spanish citizenship]] in September that year. He made his debut for Spain in March 2014, and has since won 24 caps and scored 10 goals, and has represented them at the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014]] and [[2018 FIFA World Cup]]s.

Known for his fiery temperament, Costa has been criticised and punished for several confrontations with opponents.<ref name=ZoumaCheat>{{cite web|title=Diego Costa 'likes to cheat' – Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma|url=http://www.espnfc.com/chelsea/story/2624019/diego-costa-likes-to-cheat-chelsea-defender-kurt-zouma|publisher=[[ESPN FC]]|access-date=21 September 2015|date=21 September 2015|archive-date=14 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814224926/http://www.espnfc.com/chelsea/story/2624019/diego-costa-likes-to-cheat-chelsea-defender-kurt-zouma|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Martinez />

==Early life==
Costa was born in [[Lagarto, Sergipe]], Brazil, to parents José de Jesus and Josileide.<ref name=limit>{{cite news|last1=Burt|first1=Jason|title=Diego Costa: I take things to limit but I did nothing wrong|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/11381605/Diego-Costa-I-take-things-to-limit-but-I-did-nothing-wrong.html|access-date=31 January 2015|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=31 January 2015|archive-date=10 January 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/11381605/Diego-Costa-I-take-things-to-limit-but-I-did-nothing-wrong.html|url-status=live}}</ref> His father named him in honour of Argentine footballer [[Diego Maradona]] despite [[Argentina–Brazil football rivalry|the rivalry between the two nations]], and he has an elder brother named Jair after Brazilian player [[Jairzinho]].<ref name=limit/> Despite regularly playing [[Street football (association football)|street football]], Costa did not believe as a child that he would turn professional, in part due to the remote location of his hometown.<ref name=limit/> He has since set up a football academy in his hometown, where he pays all the costs.<ref>{{cite web|last1=West|first1=Andy|title=Diego Costa: Does the Chelsea striker have a softer side?|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34357052|access-date=27 September 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=26 September 2015|archive-date=28 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928032656/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34357052|url-status=live}}</ref> Costa is a fan of [[Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras|Palmeiras]].<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=9}}</ref>

Costa trialled unsuccessfully at his hometown team [[Atlético Clube Lagartense]].<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=4}}</ref> At age 15, he left Sergipe and moved to [[São Paulo]], to work in the store of his uncle Jarminho.<ref name=limit/> Although he was never a professional, Jarminho had connections in football and recommended his nephew to [[Barcelona Esportivo Capela]], a team from the south of the city set up as an alternative to drugs and gangs for youth of the ''[[favelas]]''.<ref name=limit/> Before joining this team, he had never been coached in football.<ref name=limit/><ref name=calles>{{cite news|url=http://www.elpais.com/articulo/deportes/Primera/calle/elpepudep/20100123elpepidep_1/Tes|title=A Primera desde la calle|trans-title=Diego Costa: To ''Primera'' from the streets|work=[[El País]]|language=es|date=23 January 2010|access-date=25 July 2010|archive-date=26 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426083326/https://elpais.com/diario/2010/01/23/deportes/1264201201_850215.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He turned professional at the club, earning around [[Pound sterling|£]]100 per month,<ref name=limit/> and competed in the under-18 Taça de São Paulo despite a four-month ban for slapping an opponent and dissent towards the referee. Although he was sent off in the first game of the tournament, he attracted the attention of renowned Portuguese agent [[Jorge Mendes]], who offered him a contract at [[S.C. Braga|Braga]]. Costa's father was apprehensive of sending his son to Europe, and suggested he instead sign for nearby [[Associação Desportiva São Caetano]], but he was adamant that he would take the opportunity.<ref name=eight>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=8}}</ref>

Jair played on the same team as Diego, and was a slimmer, more technically able player, but had less focus; the two were often not fielded at the same time in order to prevent arguments. He never turned professional, but had a three-month trial at [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque]] club [[SD Salvatierra|Salvatierra]].<ref name=eight/>

==Club career==
===Early career===
Costa signed for his first European club in February 2006, Portugal's [[S.C. Braga|Braga]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.uol.com.br/cbf/bid/ti2006.htm |title=Relatório de transferências internacionais |trans-title=International transfers report |publisher=Brazilian FA |language=pt |date=22 January 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071126091838/http://www2.uol.com.br/cbf/bid/ti2006.htm |archive-date=26 November 2007 }}</ref> He initially struggled with loneliness and the comparatively cold weather of northern Portugal.<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=11}}</ref> Out of action due to the club's lack of a youth team, he was loaned that summer to [[F.C. Penafiel|Penafiel]] in the [[Liga de Honra|second division]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=293203|title=Diego voltou para ficar|trans-title=Diego came back to stay|publisher=[[Record (Portuguese newspaper)|Record]]|language=pt|date=7 January 2007|access-date=31 October 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106114445/http://www.record.xl.pt/Arquivo/interior.aspx?content_id=293203|archive-date=6 November 2013}}</ref> managed by former [[Portugal national football team|Portugal international]] [[Rui Bento]], who desired the "rough diamond".<ref name=twelve>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=12}}</ref>

Through his negotiations with Spain's [[Atlético Madrid]],<ref name=twelve/> Mendes arranged Costa's transfer for [[Euro|€]]1.5&nbsp;million and 50% of the player's rights in December 2006,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web3.cmvm.pt/english/sdi2004/emitentes/docs/fsd12562.pdf|title=SC Braga – Futebol, SAD – Annual report and financial statements for 2006/2007|publisher=CMVM|language=pt|date=15 August 2008|access-date=10 November 2010|archive-date=2 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102091041/http://web3.cmvm.pt/english/sdi2004/emitentes/docs/fsd12562.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> but he remained on loan at Braga until the end of [[2006–07 Primeira Liga|the season]]. Atlético defeated interest from [[FC Porto|Porto]] and [[Recreativo de Huelva]] for Costa's signature, with director [[Jesús García Pitarch]] admitting that it was a risk to pay so much for an inexperienced player.<ref name=seventeen/> After 5 goals in 13 games for Penafiel, he was recalled to Braga in January 2007.<ref name=seventeen>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=17}}</ref> On 23 February, he came on in the 71st minute for [[José Carlos Santos da Silva|Zé Carlos]] and scored his first goal for the team, a last-minute goal for a 1–0 win at [[Parma Calcio 1913|Parma]] to advance [[2006–07 UEFA Cup|2–0 on aggregate]] to the Last 16 of the [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]].<ref name=scadere>{{cite news|title=Diego allo scadere, Parma fuori|trans-title=Diego at the end, Parma out|url=https://it.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/85523--parma-vs-braga/|access-date=22 August 2014|publisher=UEFA|date=23 February 2007|language=it|archive-date=16 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616205748/http://it.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2006/matches/round=2366/match=85523/|url-status=live}}</ref> His season ended after seven games due to a [[metatarsal]] injury which ruled him out for six months.<ref name=twenty>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=20}}</ref>

Costa was presented by Atlético Madrid president [[Enrique Cerezo]] on 10 July 2007 as "the new [[Kaká]]".<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=24}}</ref> While scout Javier Hernández wished for him to return to fitness in the [[Atlético Madrid B|club's reserves]], García Pitarch instead suggested loaning Costa out immediately.<ref name=twenty/> He made his debut on 11 August in the Ciudad de Vigo tournament against [[Celta de Vigo]], replacing [[Simão Sabrosa|Simão]] at half-time in a [[penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shootout]] victory.<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=26}}</ref>

===Celta Vigo===
Later that month, Costa and [[Mario Suárez (footballer)|Mario Suárez]] were loaned to [[Segunda División]] side Celta de Vigo for the season, and Costa became a regular in the team, managed by former [[Ballon d'Or]] winner [[Hristo Stoichkov]].<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=28}}</ref> In his seventh league match, he scored his first goal in Spanish football in a dominant home victory over [[Xerez CD|Xerez]]; after scoring, he showboated, causing a brawl which resulted in him being sent off. Costa was subsequently rested from Celta's away game at the same opposition. The event drew the wrath of Stoichkov, who unexpectedly left his position.<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=30}}</ref> Towards the middle of the season, he was involved in two further controversies: he struck [[Málaga CF|Málaga]] defender [[Weligton Oliveira|Weligton]] in the head, causing an injury which required medical stitches, and was sent off against [[Sevilla Atlético]] for [[Diving (association football)|diving]] and dissent, leaving his team to fight for a draw without him.<ref name=thirtythree>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=33}}</ref> The loyal strike partner of [[Quincy Owusu-Abeyie]] despite the pair not sharing a common language, he was dropped for Cypriot [[Ioannis Okkas]].<ref name=thirtythree/> On 23 March 2008, Costa scored both Celta goals in a 2–1 win at [[CD Numancia|Numancia]], the latter after a long dribble;<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=34}}</ref> but later on in the campaign, he was sent off against [[CD Tenerife|Tenerife]] at [[Balaídos]], after which Celta went from winning 2–0 to drawing 2–2.<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=36}}</ref> The team barely avoided relegation, and Costa earned a reputation for being a disruptive influence.<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=37}}</ref>

===Albacete===
Despite earning a poor reputation for his conduct, Costa attracted interest from [[UD Salamanca|Salamanca]], [[Gimnàstic de Tarragona]] and Málaga after his loan at Celta; García Pitarch ruled out any approach from the latter, fearing how Costa would behave on the [[Costa del Sol]].<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=41}}</ref> After attending Atlético's pre-season tour of Mexico, he signed on loan for [[Albacete Balompié|Albacete]], also of Segunda División, on 22 August 2008, signing a contract which would have a lower fee depending on how many games he played.<ref name=fourtythree>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=43}}</ref> He initially threatened to terminate his deal with the [[Castile-La Mancha]] team, on account of the quality of his teammates and [[Albacete|the city]]'s lack of a beach.<ref name=fourtythree/> Nine days after signing, he scored a late winner in a 2–1 victory over Sevilla's reserves at the [[Estadio Carlos Belmonte]].<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=44}}</ref> The ''Queso Mecánico'' suffered with financial problems during Costa's loan, with him threatening to strike unless their non-playing staff were paid in full.<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=46}}</ref> He was dropped to the bench by manager [[Juan Ignacio Martínez]] for the home game against [[Real Sociedad]] on 13 December as punishment for an argument with goalkeeper [[Jonathan López (Spanish footballer)|Jonathan]], but came on as a substitute to score another late winner.<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=47}}</ref>

Costa was known for misbehaviour on and off the pitch while at Albacete. He was sent off away to Tenerife, after which he slandered the referee's mother and confronted his opponents.<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=50}}</ref> He pulled [[practical joke]]s on his teammates and employers, earning him the moniker "that fucking Brazilian".<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=52}}</ref> However, he was a central figure as they avoided relegation, assisting twice in a 3–0 win at high-flying [[Rayo Vallecano]] on 2 May 2009, despite missing a penalty.<ref name="Guillén 2015 56">{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=56}}</ref>

===Valladolid===
[[File:Diego Costa & Gerard Pique DSC 0201 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Diego Costa next to [[Gerard Piqué]] during an away Real Valladolid fixture versus [[FC Barcelona]] in May 2010]]
In the summer of 2009, Costa was desired by [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] for their [[FC Barcelona B|reserve team]], an approach which Atlético rejected, citing that he remained in their plans.<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=59}}</ref> Frustrated by his lack of opportunities, however, a now overweight Costa argued with his management and attempted to negotiate a move to Brazil's [[Esporte Clube Vitória]].<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=60}}</ref>

On 8 July 2009, Costa was sold to [[Real Valladolid]] as part of the deal that sent [[Goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeeper]] [[Sergio Asenjo]] in the opposite direction, with the transfer including a €1&nbsp;million buy-back option that could be activated by Atlético at the end of [[2009–10 La Liga|the season]].<ref>[http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/futbol-asenjo-nuevo-portero-atletico/dasftb/20090708dasdaiftb_49/Tes Asenjo ya es el nuevo portero del Atlético (Asenjo new Atlético goalkeeper)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711110707/http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/futbol-asenjo-nuevo-portero-atletico/dasftb/20090708dasdaiftb_49/Tes |date=11 July 2009 }}; [[Diario AS]], 8 July 2009 {{in lang|es}}</ref> García Pitarch confessed that there was a verbal agreement that Costa would definitely return at the end of the campaign, and that the deal had been made to look permanent in order to give Costa more commitment to his new club.<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=61}}</ref>

Initially, Costa had competition up front from fellow new signings [[Alberto Bueno]] and [[Manucho]], signed from [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] and [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] respectively; he eventually forged a friendship with the latter, a fellow [[lusophone]], from Angola.<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=63}}</ref> He started strong for the [[Castile and León]] side, scoring 6 times in his first 12 games,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/marcador/futbol/2009_10/primera/jornada_12/vad_ten/|title=El Tenerife se sacude en Zorrilla el 'sindrome del visitante'|trans-title=Tenerife shakes off 'visitor's syndrome' in Zorrilla|work=[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]]|language=es|date=29 November 2009|access-date=31 October 2013|archive-date=23 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623132453/https://www.marca.com/marcador/futbol/2009_10/primera/jornada_12/vad_ten/|url-status=live}}</ref> but only found the net once in the following five-and-a-half months as the campaign eventually ended in [[relegation]] from [[La Liga]]. He was sent off in a goalless draw against [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]] on 24 March 2010 for a stamp on [[Dídac Vilà]] in the first half.<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=69}}</ref>

===Atlético Madrid===
====2010–13====
[[File:Levante - Rayo (D.Costa, Lass) - Flickr - Carlos RM.jpg|thumb|Costa on loan at [[Rayo Vallecano]], [[Goal celebration|celebrating]] with the goalscorer, [[Alhassane Bangoura]], in a match against [[Levante UD|Levante]], on 19 February 2012]]
In June 2010, Costa returned to the ''Colchoneros'', initially as a backup to [[Sergio Agüero]] and [[Diego Forlán]] – Atlético also paid an undisclosed sum to Braga to buy all the residual 30% economic rights (the former also had to pay in excess of €833,000 in agent's fees to [[Gestifute]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scbraga.pt/sc-braga/relatorio-e-contas-1/relatorio-e-contas-da-sad-2010-2011|title=SC Braga – Futebol, SAD Relatórios e Contas 2010–11|trans-title=SC Braga (football section) financial report and accounts 2010–11|publisher=Braga's official website|language=pt|date=11 October 2011|access-date=22 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322222205/http://www.scbraga.pt/sc-braga/relatorio-e-contas-1/relatorio-e-contas-da-sad-2010-2011|archive-date=22 March 2012}}</ref>). He was an unused substitute as Atlético won the [[2010 UEFA Super Cup]] on 27 August.<ref name="line-ups">{{cite web |title=Line-ups |url=http://en.uefa.com/newsfiles/supercup/2010/2002327_lu.pdf |publisher=UEFA |date=27 August 2010 |access-date=27 August 2010 |archive-date=4 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204140709/https://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/supercup/2010/2002327_lu.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 26 September, with the injured Agüero on the [[Substitute (association football)|substitutes bench]], Costa scored the game's only goal at home against [[Real Zaragoza]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/301888?cc=5739|title=Atletico edge past rock-bottom Zaragoza|publisher=[[ESPN Soccernet]]|date=26 September 2010|access-date=13 April 2011|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024145016/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/301888?cc=5739|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 3 April of the following year, already as a starter after manager [[Quique Sánchez Flores]] demoted Forlán from his position, Costa scored all of his team's goals in a 3–2 win at [[CA Osasuna|Osasuna]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/301869?cc=5739|title=Diego Costa treble seals Atletico triumph|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=3 April 2011|access-date=13 April 2011|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024153908/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/301869?cc=5739|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In July 2011, during [[2011–12 Atlético Madrid season#Pre-season|Atlético's pre-season]], Costa suffered a serious knee injury, going on to miss the majority of [[2011–12 La Liga|the season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3277/la-liga/2011/07/28/2594945/atletico-madrids-diego-costa-to-miss-six-months-with|title=Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa to miss six months with cruciate ligament injury|publisher=Goal.com|date=28 July 2011|access-date=3 September 2011|archive-date=22 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222114056/http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3277/la-liga/2011/07/28/2594945/atletico-madrids-diego-costa-to-miss-six-months-with|url-status=live}}</ref> The injury prevented him from passing a medical at Turkish club [[Beşiktaş J.K.|Beşiktaş]], having already agreed to transfer to them.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Turner|first1=Nick|title=Diego Costa was on the verge of Besiktas move|url=http://www.insidespanishfootball.com/82152/diego-costa-was-on-the-verge-of-besiktas-move/|access-date=13 August 2014|work=Inside Spanish Football|date=9 October 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813230734/http://www.insidespanishfootball.com/82152/diego-costa-was-on-the-verge-of-besiktas-move/|archive-date=13 August 2014}}</ref> On 23 January 2012, Costa was loaned to fellow league club [[Rayo Vallecano]] until June;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/2012/01/23/futbol/equipos/rayo/1327342687.html|title=Diego Costa se marcha cedido al Rayo Vallecano|trans-title=Diego Costa goes to Rayo Vallecano on loan|work=[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]]|language=es|date=23 January 2012|access-date=20 February 2012|archive-date=26 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926131337/http://www.marca.com/2012/01/23/futbol/equipos/rayo/1327342687.html|url-status=live}}</ref> he scored four goals in his first three appearances, including two in a 5–3 away win against [[Levante UD|Levante]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=323819&cc=5739|title=Bangoura and Costa inspire Rayo|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=19 February 2012|access-date=20 February 2012|archive-date=23 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223034737/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=323819&cc=5739|url-status=dead}}</ref> eventually finishing his loan spell with 10 goals from 16 games.

For the second time in his career, Costa was an unused substitute as Atlético won the [[2012 UEFA Super Cup|UEFA Super Cup]] on 1 September 2012.<ref name=2012UEFASUperCup>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19423702 |title=Chelsea 1–4 Atl Madrid |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113025547/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19423702 |archive-date=13 January 2016}}</ref> That December, Costa was involved in several on-field altercations in two separate matches. The first was in a 0–2 [[Madrid Derby|local derby]] loss against Real Madrid where he avoided disciplinary action after spitting incidents between him and [[Sergio Ramos]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/es/news/27/liga-de-espa%C3%B1a/2012/12/02/3573326/sergio-ramos-escupi%C3%B3-primero-a-diego-costa|title=Sergio Ramos escupió primero a Diego Costa|trans-title=Sergio Ramos spat on Diego Costa first|publisher=Goal.com|language=es|date=2 December 2012|access-date=12 December 2012|archive-date=23 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623144404/https://www.goal.com/es/news/27/liga-de-espa%C3%B1a/2012/12/02/3573326/sergio-ramos-escupi%C3%B3-primero-a-diego-costa|url-status=live}}</ref> He was [[Ejection (sports)|sent off]] in the following game at [[FC Viktoria Plzeň|Viktoria Plzeň]] in the [[2012–13 UEFA Europa League|UEFA Europa League]] for headbutting opponent [[David Limberský]], and was handed a four-match ban by [[UEFA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/2012/12/19/futbol/equipos/atletico/1355906646.html|title=La UEFA castiga con cuatro partidos a Diego Costa|trans-title=UEFA punishes Diego Costa with four games|work=[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]]|language=es|date=19 December 2012|access-date=21 December 2012|archive-date=23 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623144029/https://www.marca.com/2012/12/19/futbol/equipos/atletico/1355906646.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0257-0def1512f80a-84cb6a953f85-1000--plzen-pip-atletico-to-take-top-spot/|title=Plzeň pip Atlético to take top spot|publisher=UEFA|date=6 December 2012|access-date=12 December 2012|archive-date=22 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222162647/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2013/matches/round=2000356/match=2010014/postmatch/report/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This, however, did not deter coach [[Diego Simeone]] from continuing to start him, and he responded by scoring three goals in two home contests, against [[Deportivo de La Coruña]] in the league (6–0)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/348372/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739|title=Five-star show from Falcao|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=9 December 2012|access-date=12 December 2012|archive-date=1 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101072819/http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/348372/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Getafe CF|Getafe]] in [[2012–13 Copa del Rey|the season]]'s [[Copa del Rey]] (3–0).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2012_13/copa/octavos/ida/atm_get/|title=Él Atlético sí quiere la Copa|trans-title=Atlético does want Cup|work=[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]]|language=es|date=12 December 2012|access-date=13 December 2012|archive-date=23 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623143808/https://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2012_13/copa/octavos/ida/atm_get/|url-status=live}}</ref>

After the Copa del Rey semi-finals against [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]], Costa took his goal tally in the competition to seven in as many matches,<ref name=pichichi>{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/2013/02/28/futbol/copa_rey/1362050463.html|title=Diego Costa y Cristiano Ronaldo pelearán por el Pichichi copero|trans-title=Diego Costa and Cristiano Ronaldo to fight for cup Pichichi|work=[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]]|language=es|date=28 February 2013|access-date=28 February 2013|archive-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817193307/http://www.marca.com/2013/02/28/futbol/copa_rey/1362050463.html|url-status=live}}</ref> having scored three times in the tie. In the first leg he scored two [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalties]] in a 2–1 win<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/2013/01/31/futbol/copa_rey/1359672494.html|title=Once metros más cerca de la final|trans-title=Eleven meters closer to the final|work=[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]]|language=es|date=31 January 2013|access-date=28 February 2013|archive-date=23 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623144038/https://www.marca.com/2013/01/31/futbol/copa_rey/1359672494.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and, in the second at the [[Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium|Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán]], scored one after an individual effort and [[Assist (football)|assisted]] [[Radamel Falcao]] in the other, also being involved in incidents which resulted in two opposing players – [[Gary Medel]] and [[Geoffrey Kondogbia]] – being sent off in the 2–2 draw.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2012_13/copa/semifinal/vuelta/sev_atm/|title=El Atlético acepta el reto|trans-title=Atlético accepts challenge|work=[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]]|language=es|date=27 February 2013|access-date=28 February 2013|archive-date=19 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519085756/http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2012_13/copa/semifinal/vuelta/sev_atm/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Costa scored Atlético's equalising goal in the [[2013 Copa del Rey Final|Copa del Rey final]] clash against city rivals Real Madrid on 17 May 2013,<ref name=copareal>{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/363330/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=4716|title=Ronaldo red as Atletico win the Cup|publisher=ESPN FC|date=17 May 2013|access-date=18 May 2013|archive-date=7 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607212032/http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/363330/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=4716|url-status=live}}</ref> contributing to the 2–1 triumph – the first in 25 games in a streak stretching back to 1999 – and the tenth win in the tournament, confirmed by [[Miranda (footballer, born 1984)|Miranda]]'s [[Overtime (sports)#Association football|extra-time]] header.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo off in Real Madrid loss|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22558379|first=Neil|last=Johnston|work=BBC Sport|date=17 May 2013|access-date=18 May 2013|archive-date=20 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620123856/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22558379|url-status=live}}</ref> He and opponent [[Cristiano Ronaldo]] had gone into the match as joint top scorers in the tournament,<ref name=pichichi/> and thus Costa's eighth goal made him the top scorer.

====2013–14 season====
[[File:Diego Costa y Ángel Trujillo - 01.jpg|thumb|Costa executing an [[overhead kick]] against [[UD Almería|Almería]], on 14 September 2013]]
In August 2013, Costa was heavily linked with a move to [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], who allegedly matched his release clause of €25&nbsp;million and offered him three times his salary at Atlético.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/2013/08/03/futbol/equipos/atletico/1375531547.html|title=El Liverpool triplica el sueldo a Diego Costa|trans-title=Liverpool triples Diego Costa salary|work=[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]]|language=es|date=3 August 2013|access-date=19 August 2013|archive-date=25 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625131124/https://www.marca.com/2013/08/03/futbol/equipos/atletico/1375531547.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Costa, however, chose to stay at the club and renewed his contract until 2018, while also doubling his wages;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/es/news/21/fichajes/2013/08/14/4186344/diego-costa-renueva-con-el-atl%C3%A9tico-de-madrid-hasta-2018|title=Diego Costa renueva con el Atlético de Madrid hasta 2018|trans-title=Diego Costa renews with Atlético de Madrid until 2018|publisher=Goal.com|language=es|date=14 August 2013|access-date=19 August 2013|archive-date=25 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425073025/http://www.goal.com/es/news/21/fichajes/2013/08/14/4186344/diego-costa-renueva-con-el-atl%C3%A9tico-de-madrid-hasta-2018|url-status=live}}</ref> a few days after this, in the first match of [[2013–14 La Liga|the new season]] on 19 August, he scored a brace in a 3–1 win at Sevilla.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2013_14/primera/jornada_1/sev_atm/|title=Diego Costa ruge como un tigre|trans-title=Diego Costa roars like a tiger|work=[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]]|language=es|date=19 August 2013|access-date=19 August 2013|archive-date=23 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423090907/http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2013_14/primera/jornada_1/sev_atm/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 24 September, Costa scored both goals in a 2–1 home triumph over Osasuna to help his team stay level on points with league leaders Barcelona through six games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/en/report/373160/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=null |title=Costa brace keeps Atletico perfect |publisher=ESPN FC |date=24 September 2013 |access-date=28 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928015314/http://espnfc.com/en/report/373160/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=null |archive-date=28 September 2013 }}</ref> Four days later, in the Madrid derby, he scored the only goal of the game to record a second win over Real at the [[Santiago Bernabéu Stadium|Santiago Bernabéu]] in under five months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/us/en/report/373148/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901|title=Costa goal wins Madrid derby|publisher=ESPN FC|date=28 September 2013|access-date=28 September 2013|archive-date=2 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002005805/http://espnfc.com/us/en/report/373148/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901|url-status=live}}</ref> For his performances, he was crowned the inaugural [[La Liga Player of the Month]] for September 2013.<ref name=lfp>{{cite news|title=Premios Liga BBVA y Liga Adelante a los mejores del mes|trans-title=Liga BBVA and Liga Adelante prizes for the best of the month|url=http://www.lfp.es/noticias/la-lfp-premia-a-los-mejores-del-mes|access-date=8 November 2014|publisher=[[Liga de Fútbol Profesional]]|date=22 October 2013|language=es|archive-date=13 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613003211/http://www.lfp.es/noticias/la-lfp-premia-a-los-mejores-del-mes|url-status=live}}</ref> By his 25th birthday on 7 October, he had scored ten goals in eight league matches, equalling his tally from the previous season. All of those matches were won by Atlético, setting a new record for the best start to a season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Un cumpleaños en plenitud|trans-title=A birthday in plenitude|url=http://www.lfp.es/noticias/un-cumpleanos-en-plenitud|access-date=8 November 2014|publisher=Liga de Fútbol Profesional|date=7 October 2013|language=es|archive-date=8 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108175541/http://www.lfp.es/noticias/un-cumpleanos-en-plenitud|url-status=live}}</ref> On 23 November 2013, Costa scored an overhead volley from a cross by [[Gabi (footballer, born 1983)|Gabi]] in a win over Getafe; the goal was nominated for the [[FIFA Puskás Award]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Diego Costa|url=https://www.fifa.com/ballon-dor/puskas-award/video=2463785/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114162115/http://www.fifa.com/ballon-dor/puskas-award/video=2463785/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 November 2014|access-date=14 November 2014|publisher=FIFA|date=12 November 2014}}</ref>

On 22 October 2013, Costa marked his [[2013–14 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]] debut with two goals against [[FK Austria Wien|Austria Wien]], the first coming after a fine individual effort in an eventual [[2013–14 UEFA Champions League group stage|3–0 group stage away win]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/020e-0ea02771c3f1-893331a0c5c8-1000--imperious-atletico-cruise-to-victory-in-vienna/|title=Imperious Atlético cruise to victory in Vienna|publisher=UEFA|date=22 October 2013|access-date=23 October 2013|archive-date=12 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212142327/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2014/matches/round=2000479/match=2011804/postmatch/report/index.html#atletico+cruise+vienna|url-status=live}}</ref> On 19 February 2014, in the first knockout round's first leg, he scored the game's only goal at [[A.C. Milan|Milan]], scoring seven minutes from time after a [[corner kick]] from Gabi;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0212-0e88d22f528d-d7d53d2863c2-1000--atletico-hit-milan-with-late-sucker-punch/|title=Atlético hit Milan with late sucker punch|publisher=UEFA|date=19 February 2014|access-date=22 February 2014|archive-date=5 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605161427/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2014/matches/round=2000480/match=2011859/postmatch/report/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> he added a further two in the second match, helping Atlético to a 4–1 victory that put them into the quarter-finals for the first time in 17 years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/champions-league/10691392/Atletico-Madrid-4-AC-Milan-1-agg-5-1-match-report.html|title=Atlético Madrid 4 AC Milan 1; agg 5–1: match report|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=11 March 2014|access-date=12 March 2014|archive-date=25 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625131125/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/champions-league/10691392/Atletico-Madrid-4-AC-Milan-1-agg-5-1-match-report.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 30 April 2014, Costa won and converted a penalty in the second leg of the [[2013–14 UEFA Champions League knockout phase|Champions League semi-final]] against [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], as Atlético won 3–1 at [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]] and advanced to [[2014 UEFA Champions League Final|the final]] of the competition for the first time since [[1974 European Cup Final|1974]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27210847|title=Chelsea 1–3 Atlético Madrid|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 April 2014|access-date=30 April 2014|archive-date=2 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102160007/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27210847|url-status=live}}</ref> He finished the league season with 27 league goals to become the third highest scorer,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.farodevigo.es/deportes/2014/05/18/27-empujones-diego-costa/1025252.html|title=Los 27 empujones de Diego Costa|trans-title=Diego Costa's 27 shoves|publisher=[[Faro de Vigo]]|language=es|date=18 May 2014|access-date=6 June 2014|archive-date=21 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021164245/https://www.farodevigo.es/deportes/2014/05/18/27-empujones-diego-costa/1025252.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and the team won the title for the first time since 1996, but he was substituted after 16 minutes of the last match of the season against Barcelona due to a hamstring injury.<ref name=liga>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27422328|title=Barcelona 1–1 Atlético Madrid|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Rose|first=Gary|date=17 May 2014|access-date=25 May 2014|archive-date=25 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125011935/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27422328|url-status=live}}</ref> Atlético sought to cure this injury before the upcoming [[2014 UEFA Champions League Final|Champions League final]] against Real Madrid by sending him to [[Belgrade]] for treatment with a horse placenta,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/champions-league/10846131/Champions-League-final-2014-Atletico-Madrids-Diego-Costa-undergoes-controversial-muscle-treatment.html|title=Champions League final 2014: Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa undergoes controversial muscle treatment|publisher=The Daily Telegraph|date=21 May 2014|access-date=25 May 2014|archive-date=25 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625131124/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/champions-league/10846131/Champions-League-final-2014-Atletico-Madrids-Diego-Costa-undergoes-controversial-muscle-treatment.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and he was included in the starting line-up for the decisive match. However, he left the pitch after eight minutes in an eventual 1–4 loss;<ref name=2014UEFAChampionsLeagueFinal>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27383593 |title=Real Madrid 4–1 Atlético Madrid |first=Phil |last=McNulty |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 May 2014 |access-date=27 April 2019 |archive-date=4 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804214037/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27383593 |url-status=live }}</ref> manager Diego Simeone later admitted a personal mistake in selecting the player to start the final despite his recent injury.<ref>{{cite news|title=Atletico Madrid: Simeone admits to mistake over injured Costa|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27562716|work=BBC Sport|date=25 May 2014|access-date=3 June 2014|archive-date=9 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109095632/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27562716|url-status=live}}</ref> Costa scored eight goals during the Champions League campaign, equalling the record held by [[Vavá]] since 1959 for most in a season by an Atlético player, and in his entire career was in the top ten Atlético players by goal average.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sanmor|first1=Vero|title=Diego Costa, a un gol de igualar a Vavá como máximo goleador en Champions en una temporada|trans-title=Diego Costa, one goal from equalling Vavá as top goalscorer in the Champions in one season|url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20140331/atletico-madrid/diego-costa-a-un-gol-de-igualar-a-vava-como-maximo-goleador-en-champions-en-una-temporada_54405291480.html|access-date=29 August 2014|work=Mundo Deportivo|date=31 March 2014|language=es|archive-date=25 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625131124/https://www.mundodeportivo.com/20140331/atletico-madrid/diego-costa-a-un-gol-de-igualar-a-vava-como-maximo-goleador-en-champions-en-una-temporada_54405291480.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At the season's [[LFP Awards]], he was nominated for the league's Best Forward, losing out to Cristiano Ronaldo.<ref>{{cite web|title=gala de premios LFP 2013/14 |trans-title=LFP Awards show 2013/14 |url=http://www.lfp.es/gala-lfp-2013-2014 |publisher=[[Liga de Fútbol Profesional]] |access-date=10 November 2014 |language=es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105051027/http://www.lfp.es/gala-lfp-2013-2014 |archive-date= 5 November 2014 }}</ref>

===Chelsea===
Having completed his medical in June,<ref>{{cite news|title=Spain star Diego Costa close to Chelsea move after passing a medical|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/9337824/transfer-news-spain-star-diego-costa-close-to-chelsea-move-after-passing-a-medical|work=[[Sky Sports]]|date=4 June 2014|access-date=7 July 2014|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803032007/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/9337824/transfer-news-spain-star-diego-costa-close-to-chelsea-move-after-passing-a-medical|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Diego Costa completes medical ready for £32m move to Chelsea|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/04/diego-costa-chelsea-medical-transfer-spain|first=David|last=Hytner|work=[[theguardian.com|The Guardian]]|date=4 June 2014|access-date=7 July 2014|archive-date=9 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109064049/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/04/diego-costa-chelsea-medical-transfer-spain|url-status=live}}</ref> Chelsea announced on 1 July 2014 that they had agreed to meet the £32&nbsp;million buy-out clause in Costa's contract.<ref>{{cite news|title=Diego Costa joins Chelsea: Blues confirm they have reached agreement to sign the Atletico Madrid striker|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/diego-costa-joins-chelsea-blues-confirm-they-have-reached-agreement-to-sign-the-atletico-madrid-striker-9577026.html|last=Orr|first=James|work=[[The Independent]]|date=1 July 2014|access-date=7 July 2014|archive-date=3 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703011828/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/diego-costa-joins-chelsea-blues-confirm-they-have-reached-agreement-to-sign-the-atletico-madrid-striker-9577026.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Diego Costa completes £32m Chelsea move from Atlético Madrid|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/01/diego-costa-completes-chelsea-move-atletico-madrid|work=[[theguardian.com|The Guardian]]|date=1 July 2014|access-date=7 July 2014|archive-date=15 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915201819/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/01/diego-costa-completes-chelsea-move-atletico-madrid|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Chelsea complete Costa signing|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/320721.html|work=[[ESPN]]|date=2 July 2014|access-date=7 July 2014|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714162522/http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/320721.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 15 July, Chelsea confirmed the completion of the signing of Costa, who signed a five-year contract on a salary of £150,000 a week.<ref name=chelsea>{{cite news|title=Costa deal completed|url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2014/07/costa-deal-completed.html|work=[[Chelsea F.C.]]|date=15 July 2014|access-date=15 July 2014|archive-date=18 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718032752/http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2014/07/costa-deal-completed.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Official: Chelsea sign Diego Costa|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2014/07/15/4961159/official-chelsea-sign-diego-costa?ICID=SP_HN_HP_RI_0_3|first=George|last=Ankers|work=Goal.com|date=15 July 2014|access-date=15 July 2014|archive-date=22 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222093659/http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2014/07/15/4961159/official-chelsea-sign-diego-costa?ICID=SP_HN_HP_RI_0_3|url-status=live}}</ref> On signing, Costa said, "I am very happy to sign for Chelsea. Everybody knows it is a big club in a very competitive league, and I am very excited to get started in England with a fantastic coach and team-mates. Having played against Chelsea last season I know the high quality of the squad I am joining".<ref name=chelsea/> Following the departure of former Chelsea striker [[Demba Ba]], Costa inherited his number 19 shirt,<ref>{{cite web|title=Squad number changes|url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2014/08/squad-number-changes.html?WT.mc_id=social_20140815_29820286|publisher=[[Chelsea F.C.]]|access-date=15 August 2014|archive-date=17 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817192259/http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2014/08/squad-number-changes.html?WT.mc_id=social_20140815_29820286|url-status=live}}</ref> the same number he wore at the 2014 World Cup for Spain and previously at Atlético.

====2014–15 season====
Costa scored on his Chelsea debut on 27 July, running onto a through ball from [[Cesc Fàbregas]] in a 2–1 friendly win against Slovene club [[NK Olimpija Ljubljana (2005)|Olimpija]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Match report: NK Olimpija Ljubljana 1 Chelsea 2|url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2014/07/match-report--nk-olimpija-ljubljana-1-chelsea-2.html|work=[[Chelsea F.C.]]|date=27 July 2014|access-date=27 July 2014|archive-date=27 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727202711/http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2014/07/match-report--nk-olimpija-ljubljana-1-chelsea-2.html|url-status=live}}</ref> His first competitive match was Chelsea's first game of the [[2014–15 Premier League|league season]], away to [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] on 18 August, scoring the team's equaliser in a 3–1 victory.<ref>{{cite web|title=Burnley 1–3 Chelsea|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28735901|access-date=18 August 2014|work=BBC Sport|date=18 August 2014|archive-date=29 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029180044/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28735901|url-status=live}}</ref> He scored in his third consecutive match on 30 August, the first and last goals of a 6–3 win at [[Everton F.C.|Everton]], the first goal coming after 35 seconds.<ref>{{cite web|title=Everton 3–6 Chelsea|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28906778|access-date=30 August 2014|work=BBC Sport|date=30 August 2014|archive-date=30 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140830232756/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28906778|url-status=live}}</ref> Costa was given the [[Premier League Player of the Month]] award for August 2014.<ref name=august>{{cite news|title=Diego Costa accepts August accolade|url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2014/09/diego-costa-accepts-august-accolade.html?WT.mc_id=social_20140912_31482496|access-date=12 September 2014|publisher=[[Chelsea F.C.]]|date=12 September 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304033304/http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2014/09/diego-costa-accepts-august-accolade.html?WT.mc_id=social_20140912_31482496|url-status=live}}</ref> He completed his first [[List of Premier League hat-tricks|Premier League hat-trick]] in his fourth game of the season against [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] as Chelsea continued their perfect start to the season with a 4–2 win.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29090529 |title=Chelsea 4–2 Swansea City |date=13 September 2014 |access-date=13 September 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |archive-date=26 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126134512/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29090529 |url-status=live }}</ref> With seven, Costa holds the record for most goals in his first four Premier League matches, surpassing the tally of six by both Sergio Agüero and [[Micky Quinn]].<ref name=starter>{{cite web|last1=West|first1=Andy|title=Costa: Is Chelsea striker just a fast starter or the real deal?|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29258252|access-date=20 September 2014|work=BBC Sport|date=19 September 2014|archive-date=28 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628192048/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29258252|url-status=live}}</ref> In spite of his form at the start of the season, Costa had been suffering from a recurring hamstring problem which limited his participation in training; manager [[José Mourinho]] said that it would not heal until mid-November.<ref>{{cite news|title=Diego Costa: Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho unsure on striker's return|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29677705|access-date=19 October 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|date=19 October 2014|archive-date=24 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724132625/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29677705|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Chelsea 2 Spurs 0 Capital One Cup winners 2015 (16507631718).jpg|thumb|Goalscorers Costa and [[John Terry]] celebrating Chelsea's victory in the [[2015 Football League Cup Final]]]]
Costa scored his tenth goal of the league season to give Chelsea a 2–1 win away to Liverpool on 8 November, preserving their unbeaten start to the campaign.<ref>{{cite web|last1=McNulty|first1=Phil|title=Liverpool 1–2 Chelsea|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29860231|access-date=8 November 2014|work=BBC Sport|date=8 November 2014|archive-date=26 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926111255/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29860231|url-status=live}}</ref> In January, Costa was charged by [[The Football Association|the FA]] in relation to a stamp on [[Emre Can]] during Chelsea's win over Liverpool in the [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] [[2014–15 Football League Cup#Semi-finals|semi-finals]], and was given a three-match ban.<ref>{{cite news|title=Diego Costa: Chelsea striker gets three-match ban for stamp|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31059345|access-date=30 January 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 January 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924023316/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31059345|url-status=live}}</ref> Costa won his first trophy for Chelsea on 1 March, as they defeated [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] 2–0 to win the [[2015 Football League Cup Final|League Cup]] at [[Wembley Stadium]]; he scored the second goal of the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capitalonecup.co.uk/fixtures-results/match-report/index.aspx?MatchId=3804535&hometeamid=4&type=report |title=Match Report |publisher=Capital One Cup |access-date=27 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417203801/http://www.capitalonecup.co.uk/fixtures-results/match-report/index.aspx?MatchId=3804535&hometeamid=4&type=report |archive-date=17 April 2015 }}</ref>

On 26 April, Costa was chosen of one of two forwards for the season's [[PFA Team of the Year (2010s)|PFA Team of the Year]], alongside Tottenham's [[Harry Kane]]. Five of Costa's Chelsea teammates were also in the selection.<ref name=PFATOTY1415>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32472834 |title=Chelsea's Eden Hazard named PFA Player of the Year |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 April 2015 |access-date=7 May 2018 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728002107/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32472834 |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to injury, he was due to miss the remainder of the season, in which Chelsea won the league title with a 1–0 home win over [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] on 3 May.<ref name=prem>{{cite web|last1=McNulty|first1=Phil|title=Chelsea 1–0 Crystal Palace|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32471261|access-date=3 May 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=3 May 2015|archive-date=4 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504063957/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32471261|url-status=live}}</ref> However, he featured in their last match of the season on the 24th, replacing the injured [[Didier Drogba]] after half an hour against [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]. Seven minutes later, he scored his 20th goal of the league campaign, an equalising penalty in an eventual 3–1 home win.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Winton|first1=Richard|title=Chelsea 3–1 Sunderland|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32770811|access-date=24 May 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=24 May 2015|archive-date=25 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525034954/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32770811|url-status=live}}</ref>

With reports speculating that Costa wanting to leave Chelsea, Costa affirmed on 2 June 2015 after Chelsea's post-season tour that he had no desire to leave [[London]], saying, "It's always a bit more difficult in the first season for adaptation, but I have no reason to leave this place, I love it, the fans love me, and I want to stay. It's really good to come in the first season [to Chelsea] and win two things [the Premier League and the League Cup titles]. Next year I'll be ready to come back and, hopefully, win a couple more trophies."<ref>{{cite news|title=José Mourinho criticises Ruben Loftus-Cheek for Chelsea display|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jun/02/jose-mourinho-criticises-ruben-loftus-cheek-chelsea-friendly|access-date=2 June 2015|work=The Guardian|date=2 June 2015|archive-date=25 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625143638/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jun/02/jose-mourinho-criticises-ruben-loftus-cheek-chelsea-friendly|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2015–16 season====
[[File:Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0 (20944282344).jpg|thumb|right|Diego Costa eyeballs [[Gabriel Paulista|Gabriel]]. The latter would be the recipient of a red card later rescinded, while the former was charged with violent conduct.]]
Due to injury, Costa missed the [[2015 FA Community Shield]], which Chelsea lost 1–0 to [[Arsenal F.C.–Chelsea F.C. rivalry|rivals]] [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Cryer|first1=Andy|title=Arsenal 1–0 Chelsea|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33667216|access-date=2 August 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=2 August 2015|archive-date=13 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113054304/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33667216|url-status=live}}</ref> On 23 August, he scored his first goal of the campaign in a 2–3 win at [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]], which was Chelsea's first victory of the campaign, set up by international teammate [[Pedro (footballer, born 1987)|Pedro]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Magowan|first1=Alistair|title=West Brom 2–3 Chelsea|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33950789|access-date=23 August 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=23 August 2015|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227072214/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33950789|url-status=live}}</ref> He scored his first Champions League goal for the team on 16 September, a volley from a Cesc Fàbregas ball in a 4–0 win over [[Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C.|Maccabi Tel Aviv]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34203636 |first=Andy |last=Cryer |title=Chelsea 4–0 Maccabi Tel Aviv |work=BBC Sport |access-date=16 September 2015 |archive-date=25 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125133646/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34203636 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Three days later, Costa was involved in controversy in a 2–0 home win over Arsenal; he repeatedly slapped [[Laurent Koscielny]] and chest-bumped him to the ground, and then confronted [[Gabriel Paulista|Gabriel]], who allegedly tried to kick him and was sent off, though footage from [[ESPN Brazil]] later showed that little to no contact actually took place.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://espn.uol.com.br/video/544319_veja-momento-em-que-gabriel-acerta-chute-em-diego-costa|title=Veja momento em que Gabriel acerta chute em Diego Costa|website=ESPN|access-date=12 March 2016|language=pt|archive-date=14 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914035904/http://espn.uol.com.br/video/544319_veja-momento-em-que-gabriel-acerta-chute-em-diego-costa|url-status=live}}</ref> He escaped any punishment at the time. His conduct was deemed "disgusting" by visiting manager [[Arsène Wenger]],<ref>{{cite web|last1=McNulty|first1=Phil|title=Chelsea 2–0 Arsenal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34191867|work=BBC Sport|access-date=20 September 2015|date=19 September 2015|archive-date=22 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922133739/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34191867|url-status=live}}</ref> and teammate [[Kurt Zouma]] initially reacted by saying, "Diego likes to cheat a lot," but later clarified that he meant that "Diego is a player who puts pressure on his opponents".<ref name=ZoumaCheat /> As a consequence, on 21 September, he was charged with violent conduct by the FA.<ref name="BBC Sport">{{cite web|title=Diego Costa: Chelsea striker charged with violent conduct by FA|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34319410|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=21 September 2015|date=21 September 2015|archive-date=13 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113011551/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34319410|url-status=live}}</ref> and the following day he was given a three-match suspension.<ref name="The Football Association">{{cite web|title=Chelsea forward Diego Costa suspended for three matches|url=http://www.thefa.com/news/governance/2015/sep/diego-costa-suspended-for-three-games|publisher=[[The Football Association]]|access-date=22 September 2015|date=22 September 2015|archive-date=26 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426083504/https://www.thefa.com/news/2015/sep/22/diego-costa-suspended-for-three-games|url-status=live}}</ref> Gabriel's red card was also rescinded, although he was given a one-match ban and £10,000 fine for improper conduct after failing to leave the pitch immediately. After this incident, the ''[[Daily Express]]'' wrote that Costa was "named as [the] Premier League's dirtiest player".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Horsefield|first1=Izzy|title=Revealed: Chelsea ace named as Premier League's dirtiest player after Arsenal clash|date=21 September 2015|url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/606759/Chelsea-Diego-Costa-dirtiest-player-Premier-League-Arsenal|access-date=22 September 2015|archive-date=26 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626075528/https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/606759/Chelsea-Diego-Costa-dirtiest-player-Premier-League-Arsenal|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:DK-Chel15 (12).jpg|thumb|left|Costa in action at the [[2015–16 UEFA Champions League|2015–16 Champions League]] group stage match against [[FC Dynamo Kyiv|Dynamo Kyiv]] in October 2015]]
After a 1–0 defeat at [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] on 7 November, a [[Britannia Stadium]] steward made an allegation of assault against Costa, which was resolved without further action.<ref>{{cite news|title=Diego Costa: Chelsea striker steward complaint resolved|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34757551|access-date=8 November 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 November 2015|archive-date=9 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109213406/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34757551|url-status=live}}</ref> Also that month, Costa was again involved in a skirmish with Liverpool's [[Martin Škrtel]], where he appeared to dig his boot into the Slovak defender's chest, but escaped punishment by the FA.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chelsea's Diego Costa could face four-game ban after Skrtel clash|url=http://www.espnfc.com/chelsea/story/2692865/diego-costa-could-face-fa-charge-for-martin-skrtel-incident|publisher=[[ESPN FC]]|access-date=20 November 2015|date=1 November 2015|archive-date=22 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922195839/http://www.espnfc.com/chelsea/story/2692865/diego-costa-could-face-fa-charge-for-martin-skrtel-incident|url-status=live}}</ref> On 29 November, Costa was an unused substitute in a match against Tottenham and threw his bib on the floor when [[Ruben Loftus-Cheek]] was sent on at his expense. Mourinho told the media that, "For me his behaviour is normal. A top player on the bench will not be happy."<ref>{{cite news|title=Diego Costa: Jose Mourinho plays down bib incident with striker|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34958635|access-date=30 November 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 November 2015|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208124008/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34958635|url-status=live}}</ref>

Costa, [[Oscar (footballer, born 1991)|Oscar]] and Fàbregas were targeted by Chelsea supporters as the players whose poor form led to the dismissal of popular manager José Mourinho in December 2015.<ref name=watford>{{cite web|last1=Osborne|first1=Chris|title=Chelsea 2–2 Watford|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35139930|access-date=26 December 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=26 December 2015|archive-date=29 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229045131/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35139930|url-status=live}}</ref> Costa scored twice in the first game under interim replacement [[Guus Hiddink]], a 2–2 home draw against [[Watford F.C.|Watford]].<ref name=watford/> Costa, who played in a protective mask after breaking his nose in training, improved his form under the Dutchman, scoring seven times in his first eight games under the new management.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bevan|first1=Chris|title=Chelsea 5–1 Newcastle United|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35510139|access-date=14 February 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=13 February 2016|archive-date=29 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629222150/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35510139|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 12 March 2016, Costa received his first red card in a Chelsea shirt near the end their 2–0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Everton for confronting opponent [[Gareth Barry]]. Footage appeared to show Costa biting Barry during that confrontation after clashing heads. Earlier in the match, Costa appeared to spit in the direction of the referee after he was yellow carded for a clash with Barry.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Callum|title=Did Diego Costa bite Gareth Barry after spitting at FA Cup referee?|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=12 March 2016|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/03/12/did-diego-costa-spit-at-referee-michael-oliver/|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=13 March 2016|archive-date=26 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626075517/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/03/12/did-diego-costa-spit-at-referee-michael-oliver/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Wilson|first1=Paul|title=Diego Costa off but Everton play down bite claims against Chelsea striker|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/12/diego-costa-everton-bite-claims-chelsea-gareth-barry|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=12 March 2016|access-date=13 March 2016|archive-date=26 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626075529/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/12/diego-costa-everton-bite-claims-chelsea-gareth-barry|url-status=live}}</ref> Later, both Costa and Barry denied that the bite occurred.<ref>{{cite news|title=Diego Costa: Gareth Barry says Chelsea striker did not bite him|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35797448|access-date=13 March 2016|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 March 2016|archive-date=9 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609191551/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35797448|url-status=live}}</ref> Costa's two-match ban was extended to three, and he was fined £20,000.<ref>{{cite news|title=Diego Costa: Chelsea striker has ban extended and is fined £20,000|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35943318|access-date=1 April 2016|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 April 2016|archive-date=9 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609193705/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35943318|url-status=live}}</ref> On 2 May, as Chelsea drew 2–2 against Tottenham to deny them the title, Costa was gouged in the eyes by [[Mousa Dembélé (Belgian footballer)|Mousa Dembélé]] during a mass brawl; the Belgian received a retrospective six-match ban.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tottenham Hotspur's Mousa Dembele receives six-game ban|url=http://www.thefa.com/news/governance/2016/may/moussa-dembele-suspended-060516|access-date=6 May 2016|publisher=The FA|date=6 May 2016|archive-date=26 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426083326/https://www.thefa.com/news/2016/may/05/moussa-dembele-suspended-060516|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2016–17 season====
[[File:Chelsea 4 Spurs 2 (34175040626).jpg|thumb|right|Costa with manager [[Antonio Conte]] during the 2017 [[FA Cup semi-finals|FA Cup semi-final]] against [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]]]
On 15 August 2016, Costa scored a late winner against [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] to give Chelsea a 2–1 win in their [[2016–17 Premier League|season opener]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/report?gameId=451007 |title=Diego Costa's late winner helps Chelsea defeat West Ham in opener |date=15 August 2016 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=15 August 2016 |archive-date=12 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912091312/http://www.espnfc.com/report?gameId=451007 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the match, he caught opposing goalkeeper [[Adrián (footballer)|Adrián]] with a late challenge when already on a yellow card, but did not receive a second yellow and went on to score the winner; Adrián stated after the match that he was fortunate not to be seriously injured.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/10539276/west-ham-goalkeeper-adrian-claims-diego-costa-tackle-could-have-been-much-worse |title=Adrian says he is lucky Diego Costa tackle in Chelsea win over West Ham did not cause serious injury |date=16 August 2016 |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=16 August 2016 |archive-date=26 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626075515/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/10539276/west-ham-goalkeeper-adrian-claims-diego-costa-tackle-could-have-been-much-worse |url-status=live }}</ref> On 15 October, he scored in a 3–0 over reigning Premier League champions [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2016/10/match-report.html |title=Match report: Chelsea 3 Leicester City 0 |date=15 October 2016 |publisher=Chelsea FC |access-date=15 October 2016 |archive-date=19 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019103029/http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2016/10/match-report.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and on 20 November Costa became the first player to reach ten league goals for the season, with the only one of the game at [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37965475 |title=Middlesbrough 0–1 Chelsea |date=20 November 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=9 June 2022 |archive-date=9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609191522/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37965475 |url-status=live }}</ref> With two goals and two assists for league leaders Chelsea, he was voted Premier League Player of the Month for the second time in November 2016, with his manager [[Antonio Conte]] picking up the equivalent.<ref name=potm2016>{{cite news|title=Costa named EA SPORTS Player of the Month|url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/154178|access-date=2 January 2017|publisher=Premier League|date=9 December 2016|archive-date=27 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927003123/https://www.premierleague.com/news/154178|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2017, Costa fell out with Conte and was dropped from the team, amidst interest from the [[Chinese Super League]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pitt-Brooke|first1=Jack|title=Diego Costa left out of Chelsea squad after furious row with Antonio Conte and £30m China transfer offer|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/diego-costa-left-out-of-chelsea-squad-to-face-leicester-city-after-furious-row-with-antonio-conte-a7526816.html|access-date=15 January 2017|work=The Independent|date=14 January 2017|archive-date=15 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170115194720/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/diego-costa-left-out-of-chelsea-squad-to-face-leicester-city-after-furious-row-with-antonio-conte-a7526816.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A potential move to [[Tianjin Quanjian F.C.]] was curtailed by the league limiting the number of foreign players in each team.<ref>{{cite news|title=Diego Costa: New rules in Chinese football scuppered deal says Tianjin Quanjian owner|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38648489|access-date=23 January 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 January 2017|archive-date=9 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609191529/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38648489|url-status=live}}</ref> He returned to Chelsea's starting line-up on 22 January, opening a 2–0 win over [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]], his 52nd goal on his 100th appearance.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Begley|first1=Emlyn|title=Chelsea 2–0 Hull|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38626732|access-date=23 January 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=22 January 2017|archive-date=22 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122032926/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38626732|url-status=live}}</ref> Costa was Chelsea's top scorer with 20 goals as they regained the Premier League title.<ref name=pl2017>{{cite news|title=Chelsea 2016/17 Premier League season review|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/10887352/chelsea-201617-premier-league-season-review|access-date=22 September 2017|publisher=Sky Sports|date=21 May 2017|archive-date=26 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626075528/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/10887352/chelsea-201617-premier-league-season-review|url-status=live}}</ref> On 27 May, he scored an equaliser in the [[2017 FA Cup Final]] against Arsenal, a 2–1 loss.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Aaron Ramsey fires Arsenal to FA Cup final win over 10-man Chelsea|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/27/arsenal-chelsea-fa-cup-final-match-report|access-date=22 September 2017|work=The Observer|date=27 May 2017|archive-date=10 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910044853/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/27/arsenal-chelsea-fa-cup-final-match-report|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2017–18 season====

{{quote box|width=30%|align=left|quote="Hi Diego, I hope you are well. Thanks for the seasono [sic] we spent together. Good luck for the next year but you are not in my plan."||source=– [[Antonio Conte]] informing Costa by text in June 2017 that he would no longer be involved with Chelsea<ref name="Conte2" />}}

In June 2017, Costa was told by Conte that he was not part of his plans for the coming season and that he was free to move to another team via text message.<ref name="Conte2">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40229168 |title=Antonio Conte: Chelsea manager texts Diego Costa to say 'you are not in my plan' |date=9 June 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=9 June 2022 |archive-date=18 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218094040/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40229168 |url-status=live }}</ref> Although Costa was linked to potential moves to the likes of [[A.C. Milan|Milan]], [[AS Monaco FC|Monaco]], and [[Everton F.C.|Everton]], he stated that he would only be open to moving back to his former team Atlético Madrid. Costa attempted to find a legal solution through his lawyer in pushing for a move back to Madrid,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/3171347/chelsea-striker-diego-costas-lawyer-to-demand-atletico-madrid-move |title=Chelsea striker Diego Costa's lawyer to demand Atletico Madrid move |date=3 August 2017 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=5 September 2017 |archive-date=11 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611183652/http://www.espnfc.com/story/3171347/chelsea-striker-diego-costas-lawyer-to-demand-atletico-madrid-move |url-status=live }}</ref> and said that Chelsea were treating him like a "criminal" by demanding a high transfer fee for his exit.<ref name=agree/> He was excluded from training with the first-team, but was named in the Premier League squad, yet left out of the Champions League squad.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/chelsea/story/3196068/diego-costa-left-out-of-chelseas-champions-league-squad |title=Diego Costa left out of Chelsea's Champions League squad |date=4 September 2017 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=5 September 2017 |archive-date=6 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206172140/http://www.espnfc.com/chelsea/story/3196068/diego-costa-left-out-of-chelseas-champions-league-squad |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Return to Atlético Madrid===
[[File:Diego Costa 2019.jpg|thumb|Costa with Atlético in 2019]]
On 21 September 2017, Chelsea announced that Costa would return to Atlético at the start of the next transfer window in January 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chelseafc.com/content/cfc/en/homepage/news/boilerplate-config/latest-news/2017/09/diego-costa-transfer-agreed.html |title=Diego Costa Transfer announcement |date=21 September 2017 |publisher=Chelsea F.C. |access-date=21 September 2017 |archive-date=22 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922081056/http://www.chelseafc.com/content/cfc/en/homepage/news/boilerplate-config/latest-news/2017/09/diego-costa-transfer-agreed.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=agree>{{cite news|title=Diego Costa: Chelsea agree terms with Atletico Madrid to sell striker|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41348578|access-date=22 September 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 September 2017|archive-date=9 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609192147/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41348578|url-status=live}}</ref> On 26 September 2017, it was announced that after passing medical tests Costa signed a contract with Atlético. He was registered and became eligible to play after 1 January 2018, due to a transfer ban imposed on Atlético.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.atleticodemadrid.com/noticias/diego-costa-is-now-an-atletico|title=Diego Costa is now an Atlético|date=26 September 2017|publisher=Atlético Madrid|access-date=27 September 2017|archive-date=27 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927052416/http://en.atleticodemadrid.com/noticias/diego-costa-is-now-an-atletico|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 3 January 2018, he scored on his return game against [[Lleida Esportiu]] in the [[2017–18 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]] round of 16, just five minutes after being substituted on for [[Ángel Correa]] in the 64th minute.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/899742/Diego-Costa-scores-injured-Atletico-Madrid-debut-Chelsea |title=Diego Costa scores five minutes into Atletico Madrid debut… and then gets injured! |date=3 January 2018 |publisher=express.co.uk |access-date=3 January 2018 |archive-date=27 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827005254/https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/899742/Diego-Costa-scores-injured-Atletico-Madrid-debut-Chelsea |url-status=live }}</ref> Three days later in his first league game back, he started in a 2–0 win over [[Getafe C.F.|Getafe]] at the [[Metropolitano Stadium|Wanda Metropolitano]] and scored the second goal. However, having already been cautioned for a stray elbow on [[Djene Dakonam]], he was cautioned for a second time for charging into the stands to celebrate his goal, thus being sent off.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/diego-costa-sent-off-after-scoring-on-second-atletico-madrid/1klh6mk3w9qeo1m4fxfy87plfm|title=Diego Costa sent off after scoring on second Atletico Madrid La Liga debut|first=Robin|last=Bairner|work=Goal.com|date=6 January 2018|access-date=6 January 2018|archive-date=10 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110141550/http://www.goal.com/en/news/diego-costa-sent-off-after-scoring-on-second-atletico-madrid/1klh6mk3w9qeo1m4fxfy87plfm|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[ESPN FC]]'' credited Costa as being a key element in [[Antoine Griezmann]]'s return to form, opining that Costa's "physical presence at centre-forward has understandably distracted opposition defenders quite a lot. Griezmann has now taken up a roaming No. 10 role, with freedom to go where he feels best"; Atlético manager Diego Simeone namechecked three of Atlético's players in particular–Costa, [[Koke (footballer, born 1992)|Koke]], and [[Filipe Luís]]–who had helped Griezmann perform.<ref name="Costa helping Griezmann">{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/club/atletico-madrid/1068/blog/post/3403133/diego-costa-and-atletico-teammaes-helping-griezmann-back-to-form|title=Diego Costa and Atletico teammates helping Griezmann back to form|work=ESPN|last=Corrigan|first=Dermot|date=2 March 2018|access-date=2 March 2018|archive-date=26 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626111200/https://www.espn.co.uk/football/club/atletico-madrid/1068/blog/post/3403133/diego-costa-and-atletico-teammaes-helping-griezmann-back-to-form|url-status=live}}</ref>

Costa scored the only goal of Atlético's 1–0 home win in over Arsenal in the second leg of the Europa League semi-finals, sending them into the [[2018 UEFA Europa League Final]] 2–1 on aggregate.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sanders|first1=Emma|title=Atlético Madrid 1–0 Arsenal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43982135|access-date=3 May 2018|work=BBC Sport|date=3 May 2018|archive-date=9 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609190010/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43982135|url-status=live}}</ref> He played in the [[2018 UEFA Europa League Final|final]] in [[Lyon]], a 3–0 win over [[Olympique de Marseille]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Murray |first1=Scott |title=Marseille 0&ndash;3 Atlético |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2018/may/16/marseille-v-atletico-madrid-europa-league-final-live |access-date=16 August 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=16 May 2018 |archive-date=18 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918111330/https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2018/may/16/marseille-v-atletico-madrid-europa-league-final-live |url-status=live }}</ref>

In Atlético's first match of 2018–19, the [[2018 UEFA Super Cup|UEFA Super Cup]] at the [[Lilleküla Stadium]] in Estonia, Costa scored twice – including in the first 50 seconds – in a 4–2 win after extra time against Real Madrid.<ref>{{cite news |title=Diego Costa double helps Atlético beat Real Madrid 4-2 in Uefa Super Cup |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global/2018/aug/15/real-madrid-atletico-madrid-european-super-cup-match-report |access-date=16 August 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=15 August 2018 |archive-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428003902/https://www.theguardian.com/global/2018/aug/15/real-madrid-atletico-madrid-european-super-cup-match-report |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 6 April 2019, he was sent off in the 28th minute against [[FC Barcelona]], and was handed an 8-match ban for abusing a referee.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47891377|title=Diego Costa: Striker handed eight-game ban for abusing referee|date=11 April 2019|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=11 April 2019|archive-date=9 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609193711/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47891377|url-status=live}}</ref> On 18 June 2020, Costa marked his 200th club appearance for ''Los Colchoneros'' when he started in a huge 5–0 away win against [[Osasuna]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 June 2020|title=Diego Costa y los 200: "Nunca imaginé jugar tantos partidos"|trans-title=Diego Costa and the 200: "I never imagined playing so many games"|url=https://as.com/futbol/2020/06/19/videos/1592578406_602420.html|access-date=20 June 2020|website=AS|language=es|archive-date=26 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626110925/https://as.com/futbol/2020/06/19/videos/1592578406_602420.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Costa scored his fifth  goal of the season in a 1–0 home victory against [[Real Betis]] to ensure his team a top four finish and qualification for [[2020–21 UEFA Champions League|the next season's Champions League]].<ref>{{cite news|title=La Liga: Diego Costa Strike Guarantees Atletico Madrid Top-four Finish with 1-0 Win over Real Betis|url=https://www.news18.com/news/football/la-liga-diego-costa-strike-guarantees-atletico-madrid-top-four-finish-with-1-0-win-over-real-betis-2712205.html|access-date=12 July 2020|work=News 18|date=12 July 2020|archive-date=26 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626110924/https://www.news18.com/news/football/la-liga-diego-costa-strike-guarantees-atletico-madrid-top-four-finish-with-1-0-win-over-real-betis-2712205.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 29 December 2020, Costa and Atlético agreed to terminate their contract, making Costa a free-agent.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Westwood|first=James|date=December 29, 2020|title=Atletico Madrid confirm termination of Diego Costa contract to end Spain striker's second spell at club|url=https://www.goal.com/en-kw/news/atletico-madrid-termination-diego-costa-contract/14nzqkflobjqn1nwk0jk29ojtv|access-date=December 29, 2020|website=Goal.com|archive-date=13 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413094326/https://www.goal.com/en-kw/news/atletico-madrid-termination-diego-costa-contract/14nzqkflobjqn1nwk0jk29ojtv|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Atlético Mineiro===
On 14 August 2021, Costa joined Brazilian club [[Clube Atlético Mineiro|Atlético Mineiro]], signing a deal until December 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|date=14 August 2021|title=Atlético-MG oficializa a contratação de Diego Costa|trans-title=Atlético-MG officialize Diego Costa's signing|url=https://ge.globo.com/futebol/times/atletico-mg/noticia/atletico-mg-oficializa-a-contratacao-de-diego-costa.ghtml|access-date=14 August 2021|website=GE|language=pt-br|archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816183721/https://ge.globo.com/futebol/times/atletico-mg/noticia/atletico-mg-oficializa-a-contratacao-de-diego-costa.ghtml|url-status=live}}</ref> He scored on his debut on 29 August, coming off the bench in the second half and settling a 1–1 [[2021 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|league]] draw to [[Red Bull Bragantino]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=29 August 2021|title=Diego Costa marca na estreia e garante empate do líder Atlético-MG com o Bragantino|trans-title=Diego Costa scores on debut and ensures draw for leaders Atlético-MG against Bragantino|url=https://ge.globo.com/sp/vale-do-paraiba-regiao/futebol/brasileirao-serie-a/jogo/29-08-2021/bragantino-atletico-mg.ghtml|access-date=29 August 2021|website=GE|language=pt-br|archive-date=26 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626110925/https://ge.globo.com/sp/vale-do-paraiba-regiao/futebol/brasileirao-serie-a/jogo/29-08-2021/bragantino-atletico-mg.ghtml|url-status=live}}</ref> On 16 January 2022, after only playing 19 times and scoring 5 goals, Diego Costa terminated his contract and became a free agent.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Diego Costa se despede do Atlético-MG: "Sentimento de gratidão" |url=https://ge.globo.com/futebol/times/atletico-mg/noticia/diego-costa-se-despede-do-atletico-mg-sentimento-de-gratidao.ghtml |access-date=2022-02-28 |website=ge |date=16 January 2022 |language=pt-br |archive-date=25 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125113640/https://ge.globo.com/futebol/times/atletico-mg/noticia/diego-costa-se-despede-do-atletico-mg-sentimento-de-gratidao.ghtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Wolverhampton Wanderers===
On 12 September 2022, Costa joined Premier League club [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] until the end of the 2022–23 season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Costa completes Wolves move |url=https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/mens-first-team/20220912-costa-completes-wolves-move/ |access-date=12 September 2022 |publisher=Wolverhampton Wanderers FC |date=12 September 2022 |archive-date=12 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912110721/https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/mens-first-team/20220912-costa-completes-wolves-move/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62878150|title=Diego Costa: Wolves sign former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker until end of season|website=BBC Sport|date=12 September 2022|access-date=12 September 2022|archive-date=12 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912150637/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62878150|url-status=live}}</ref> As part of a video filming aimed for social media for his public unveil, he was seen holding a chained pack of wolves.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Humayun |first=Ali |title=Diego Costa was 'scared to death' during Wolves transfer announcement video |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3586788/2022/09/12/diego-costa-wolves-video/ |access-date=2024-11-25 |work=The New York Times |date=12 September 2022 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> On 1 October 2022, Costa made his debut for the club, coming on in the 58th minute in a 2–0 league defeat to [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] at the [[London Stadium]].<ref name="Wolves debut">{{cite web | title=Neves warns Wolves as pressure builds on Lage | website=BBC Sport | date=1 October 2022 | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63017873 | access-date=2 October 2022 | archive-date=2 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002001905/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63017873 | url-status=live }}</ref> Costa made his 100th appearance in the Premier League, his 11th for Wolves, as a second-half substitute against [[A.F.C. Bournemouth|Bournemouth]] at [[Molineux Stadium|Molineux]] on 18 February 2023.<ref>{{cite web|first=Joe|last=Rindl|title=Wolverhampton Wanderers 0–1 Bournemouth: Cherries out of relegation zone with win|website=BBC Sport|date=18 February 2023|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64607242|access-date=19 February 2023|archive-date=19 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219031808/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64607242|url-status=live}}</ref> He suffered a knee injury in the first-half of Wolves's 1–0 home win against [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] in the Premier League on 4 March 2023 and was carried off the pitch on a stretcher.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64768045|title=Wolves 1–0 Tottenham: Traoré seals win which damages visitors' Champions League qualification bid|website=BBC Sport|first=Adam|last=Millington|date=4 March 2023|access-date=5 March 2023|archive-date=5 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305010535/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64768045|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 15 April, Costa scored his first goal for Wolves in a 2–0 home win against [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]], his first goal in English football in nearly six years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65217811|title=Wolves 2–0 Brentford: Diego Costa & Hwang Hee-chan lift Wolves away from danger|website=BBC Sport|first=Simon|last=Stone|date=15 April 2023|access-date=15 April 2023|archive-date=15 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415103132/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65217811|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 3 June, Wolves announced that Costa was one of many players who would leave at the end of their contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/c97ne28q58go|title=Moutinho, Costa and Traore to leave Wolves|website=BBC Sport|date=3 June 2023|access-date=3 June 2023|archive-date=7 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607065410/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/c97ne28q58go|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Botafogo===
On 12 August 2023, Costa signed for Brazilian club [[Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas|Botafogo]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Álvarez |first1=Fernando |title=Botafogo anuncia a Diego Costa |url=https://as.com/futbol/diego-costa-elige-al-botafogo-n/ |publisher=[[Diario AS]] |access-date=12 August 2023 |date=12 August 2023 |archive-date=12 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812224555/https://as.com/futbol/diego-costa-elige-al-botafogo-n/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==International career==
===Brazil===
On 5 March 2013, Costa was called up to the [[Brazil national football team|Brazil national team]] by head coach [[Luiz Felipe Scolari]] for [[Exhibition game|friendlies]] with [[Italy national football team|Italy]] in [[Geneva]] and [[Russia national football team|Russia]] in London, both taking place late in that month.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/selecao-brasileira/noticia/2013/03/felipao-chama-kaka-e-diego-costa-ronaldinho-fica-fora-de-amistosos.html|title=Felipão chama Kaká e Diego Costa. Ronaldinho fica fora de amistosos|trans-title=Felipão calls Kaká and Diego Costa. Ronaldinho out of friendlies|publisher=Globo Esporte|language=pt|date=5 March 2013|access-date=5 March 2013|archive-date=7 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307090836/http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/selecao-brasileira/noticia/2013/03/felipao-chama-kaka-e-diego-costa-ronaldinho-fica-fora-de-amistosos.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He made his debut in the first match on 21 March, replacing [[Fred (footballer, born 1983)|Fred]] midway through the second half of the 2–2 draw.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/105428/italy-vs-brazil/report|title=Italy 2–2 Brazil: Balotelli beauty ensures Swiss spectacular ends all-square|publisher=Goal.com|date=21 March 2013|access-date=29 September 2013|archive-date=24 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130324035752/http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/105428/italy-vs-brazil/report|url-status=live}}</ref> Four days later at Stamford Bridge, he replaced Kaká for the last 12 minutes of a 1–1 draw with Russia.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Webber|first1=Tom|title=Brazil 1–1 Russia|url=http://www.goal.com/brasilglobaltour/en/match/brazil-vs-russia/1436910/live-commentary|access-date=22 August 2014|work=Goal.com|date=25 March 2014|archive-date=17 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617015451/http://www.goal.com/brasilglobaltour/en/match/brazil-vs-russia/1436910/live-commentary|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Request to change teams===
In September 2013, the [[Royal Spanish Football Federation]] made an official request to [[FIFA]] for permission to call up Costa for the [[Spanish national football team|Spain national team]].<ref name=negocia>{{cite web|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2013/09/25/seleccion/1380129055_899810.html|title=La FEF ya negocia la llamada de Diego Costa a la Selección|trans-title=FEF in negotiations to call Diego Costa to national team|publisher=Diario AS|language=es|date=25 September 2013|access-date=26 September 2013|archive-date=27 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927171515/http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2013/09/25/seleccion/1380129055_899810.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He had been granted [[Spanish nationality law|Spanish nationality]] in July.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.football-espana.net/32364/diego-costa-granted-citizenship|title=Diego Costa granted citizenship|publisher=Football España|date=5 July 2013|access-date=29 September 2013|archive-date=8 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708204311/http://www.football-espana.net/32364/diego-costa-granted-citizenship|url-status=live}}</ref>  FIFA regulations currently permit players with more than one nationality to represent a second country if, like Costa, he had only represented his first country in friendly matches.<ref name=negocia/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Why can Diego Costa play for Spain? FIFA's eligibility rules explained |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/why-can-diego-costa-play-for-spain-fifas-eligibility-rules/1mpmz2y38kmln11mgr06rtpw6a |access-date=2020-09-02 |work=Goal |archive-date=16 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216220045/https://www.goal.com/en/news/why-can-diego-costa-play-for-spain-fifas-eligibility-rules/1mpmz2y38kmln11mgr06rtpw6a |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 29 October 2013, Costa declared that he wished to play international football for Spain, sending a letter to the [[Brazilian Football Confederation]] (CBF).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24734450|title=Diego Costa: Brazil-born striker commits to Spain|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 October 2013|access-date=30 October 2013|archive-date=16 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116031031/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24734450|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the news, Scolari commented, "A Brazilian player who refuses to wear the shirt of the Brazilian national team and compete in a [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] in your country is automatically withdrawn. He is turning his back on a dream of millions, to represent our national team, the five-time champions in a World Cup in Brazil."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/world-cup-2014-diego-costa-booed-by-locals-during-spain-v-netherlands-9536428.html |title=World Cup 2014: Diego Costa booed by locals during Spain v Netherlands |first=Simon |last=Rice |newspaper=The Independent |date=13 June 2014 |access-date=29 August 2014 |archive-date=17 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617042845/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/world-cup-2014-diego-costa-booed-by-locals-during-spain-v-netherlands-9536428.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The CBF judicial director, Carlos Eugênio Lopes, said,
:"It's obvious that the reason he made that choice was financial. The chairman [of the CBF, [[José Maria Marin]]] authorised me to open a legal action at the Justice Ministry requesting that he loses his Brazilian citizenship, which Diego Costa has rejected... The chairman told me that Costa has proved he's not fit to be part of the Scolari family, that he would contaminate the family because he's not committed to Brazil, but to Spain. He rejected his Brazilian citizenship. Marin has asked me to study the situation deeply in order to keep him from ever playing for Spain. He told me that, from now on, Costa is '[[persona non grata]]' at the national team and that the players themselves wouldn't welcome him because of that episode".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/584/brazil/2013/10/30/4370891/cbf-demands-diego-costa-loses-brazilian-citizenship|title=CBF demands Diego Costa loses Brazilian citizenship|publisher=Goal.com|date=30 October 2013|access-date=11 January 2014|archive-date=26 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626110925/https://www.goal.com/en/news/584/brazil/2013/10/30/4370891/cbf-demands-diego-costa-loses-brazilian-citizenship|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Spain===
On 28 February 2014, Spain manager [[Vicente del Bosque]] included Costa in the squad for a friendly against Italy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1730844/spain-drop-juan-mata-fernando-torres-italy-friendly-diego-costa-makes-cut?cc=5901|title=Mata and Torres miss out for Spain|publisher=ESPN FC|date=28 February 2014|access-date=28 February 2014|archive-date=5 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305092124/http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1730844/spain-drop-juan-mata-fernando-torres-italy-friendly-diego-costa-makes-cut?cc=5901|url-status=live}}</ref> He finally made his debut on 5 March, playing the full 90 minutes at his club ground, the [[Vicente Calderón Stadium]], as the hosts won 1–0.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.uefa.com/friendlies/season=2014/matches/round=2000374/match=2013711/postmatch/report/index.html|title=Pedro breaks Italy's resistance in Madrid|publisher=UEFA|date=5 March 2014|access-date=6 March 2014|archive-date=19 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619105004/http://www.uefa.com/friendlies/season=2014/matches/round=2000374/match=2013711/postmatch/report/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:ESP-RUS (7).jpg|thumb|Costa and [[Russia national football team|Russia]]'s [[Sergei Ignashevich]] at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]]]]
Costa was named in Spain's 30-man provisional squad for the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 World Cup]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27394287|title=World Cup 2014: Diego Costa and Fernando Torres in Spain squad|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 May 2014|access-date=13 May 2014|archive-date=28 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128030305/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27394287|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as the final list which was named on 31 May.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27647635|title=World Cup 2014: Spain drop Alvaro Negredo and Jesus Navas|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 May 2014|access-date=31 May 2014|archive-date=1 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140601200444/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27647635|url-status=live}}</ref> He returned from the injury which had ended his club season by starting in a warm-up game against [[El Salvador national football team|El Salvador]], winning a penalty in a 2–0 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27383467|title=El Salvador 0–2 Spain|work=BBC Sport|date=8 June 2014|access-date=8 June 2014|archive-date=3 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903175730/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27383467|url-status=live}}</ref> In the first match of the tournament, against the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]], he again won a penalty, conceded by [[Stefan de Vrij]] and converted by [[Xabi Alonso]] for a 1–0 lead but in an eventual 1–5 defeat;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25285043|title=Spain 1–5 Netherlands|work=BBC Sport|date=13 June 2014|access-date=13 June 2014|archive-date=9 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109084648/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25285043|url-status=live}}</ref> he was booed by Brazilian fans during the match.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rice |first1=Simon |title=World Cup 2014: Diego Costa booed by locals during Spain v Netherlands |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/world-cup-2014-diego-costa-booed-by-locals-during-spain-v-netherlands-9536428.html |access-date=26 August 2020 |work=The Independent |date=13 June 2014 |archive-date=17 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617042845/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/world-cup-2014-diego-costa-booed-by-locals-during-spain-v-netherlands-9536428.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Costa then started in a 0–2 loss to [[Chile national football team|Chile]] making little impact as he was substituted for [[Fernando Torres]] for the second consecutive match, and Spain were eliminated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25285155|title=Spain 0–2 Chile|publisher=BBC|date=18 June 2014|access-date=26 June 2014|archive-date=9 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109084648/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25285155|url-status=live}}</ref> He was an unused substitute in the team's third match, a 3–0 defeat of [[Australia men's national soccer team|Australia]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25285263|title=Australia 0–3 Spain|date=23 June 2014|access-date=26 June 2014|work=/ref> He was an unused substitute in the team's third match, a 3–0 defeat of [[Australia men's national soccer team|Australia]].BBC|archive-date=23 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140623230626/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25285263|url-status=live}}</ref>

Costa scored his first goal for Spain with the third in a 4–0 [[UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying Group C|UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying]] win away to [[Luxembourg national football team|Luxembourg]] on 12 October 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29588735 |title=European champions Spain responded to their shock defeat by Slovakia with a comfortable win in Luxembourg. |work=BBC Sport |date=12 October 2014 |access-date=12 October 2014 |archive-date=16 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616125742/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29588735 |url-status=live }}</ref> He did not feature again for Spain until 5 September 2015, when he was fouled by [[Slovakia national football team|Slovakia]] goalkeeper [[Matúš Kozáčik]] for a penalty, which [[Andrés Iniesta]] converted for a 2–0 qualifying win at the [[Estadio Carlos Tartiere]] in [[Oviedo]]. He was booed when he was substituted for [[Paco Alcácer]] later in the match.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} Del Bosque defended Costa from criticism, saying that he performed well against the Slovak defence.<ref name=guardspain>{{cite news|title=Spain's Diego Costa backed by Vicente del Bosque despite Euro 2016 misfire|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/sep/06/spain-diego-costa-vicente-del-bosque-euro-2016-qualifier-slovakia|access-date=7 September 2015|work=The Guardian|agency=Reuters|date=6 September 2015|archive-date=17 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617165912/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/sep/06/spain-diego-costa-vicente-del-bosque-euro-2016-qualifier-slovakia|url-status=live}}</ref> However, he was not included in the final squad for the tournament.<ref>{{cite news|title=Euro 2016: Diego Costa, Juan Mata & Fernando Torres not in Spain squad|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36312769|access-date=17 May 2016|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 May 2016|archive-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404084810/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36312769|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 5 September 2016, Costa scored his first international goals for nearly two years, in an 8–0 win over [[Liechtenstein national football team|Liechtenstein]] at the [[Estadio Reino de León]] for Spain's opening match of [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification|2018 World Cup qualification]], the first being a header from a free-kick by his former Atlético teammate [[Koke (footballer, born 1992)|Koke]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Diego Costa thanks Spain team-mates after Liechtenstein rout|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12024/10566899/diego-costa-thanks-spain-team-mates-after-liechtenstein-rout|access-date=27 September 2016|agency=Reuters|publisher=Sky Sports|date=6 September 2016|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142749/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12024/10566899/diego-costa-thanks-spain-team-mates-after-liechtenstein-rout|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2018, Costa was called up to Spain's squad for the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Chelsea forward Álvaro Morata left out of Spain's World Cup squad|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/21/chelsea-forward-alvaro-morata-out-spain-world-cup-squad|access-date=22 May 2018|work=The Guardian|date=21 May 2018|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612145228/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/21/chelsea-forward-alvaro-morata-out-spain-world-cup-squad|url-status=live}}</ref> In their opening game on 15 June in [[Sochi]], he scored his two first World Cup goals to help Spain secure a 3–3 draw against [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Ronaldo illuminates stellar draw with Spain|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/match/300331524/#match-summary|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612212732/https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/match/300331524/#match-summary|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 June 2018|access-date=16 June 2018|publisher=FIFA|date=15 June 2018}}</ref> Five days later, he scored the winning goal of the match against [[Iran national football team|Iran]].<ref>{{cite news|title=World Cup 2018, Iran vs Spain Highlights: Diego Costa Scores Only Goal As Spain Edge Iran 1-0|url=https://sports.ndtv.com/2018-fifa-world-cup/iran-vs-spain-fifa-world-cup-2018-football-scores-live-1870692|access-date=20 June 2018|publisher=NDTV Sports|date=20 June 2018|archive-date=20 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620232050/https://sports.ndtv.com/2018-fifa-world-cup/iran-vs-spain-fifa-world-cup-2018-football-scores-live-1870692|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Player profile==
===Style of play and reception===
[[File:Diego Costa - 01.jpg|thumb|Costa in action for [[Atlético Madrid]] in 2013]]
Friends and family recalled how Costa's style of play changed little over time, with his father stating how as a child, Costa would be furious whenever his team lost.<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=3}}</ref> Atlético scout Javier Hernández, on watching 17-year-old Costa play for Penafiel, was impressed by the young forward's determination and power, although found it evident that he was not observing a healthy lifestyle.<ref name=fourteen>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=14}}</ref> Costa's Penafiel manager Rui Bento, who was at [[Sporting Clube de Portugal|Sporting CP]] when Cristiano Ronaldo broke into the team, rated Costa in the same calibre as the Portuguese winger.<ref name=fourteen/> According to Atlético director Jesús García Pitarch, Costa ranks as one of the best signings of his career, alongside [[Mohamed Sissoko]], [[Miranda (footballer, born 1984)|Miranda]] and [[Ricardo Oliveira]].<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=21}}</ref>

While on loan at Celta de Vigo, Costa drew comparisons to their former Egyptian striker [[Mido (footballer)|Mido]], who was also known for his temper.<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=31}}</ref> During his spell at Albacete, Costa was nicknamed after bullfighter [[Curro Romero]] and the [[Tasmanian devil]].<ref name="Guillén 2015 56"/> His manager Juan Ignacio Martínez conceded that Costa played as a model professional for 89 minutes per match, with only one minute per match being his downfall.<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=49}}</ref> Costa refers to [[José Luis Mendilibar]] as his greatest manager because of his fatherlike "tough love", respecting his talents while keeping strict discipline, once sending Costa to work in a [[vineyard]] as a punishment.<ref>{{harvnb|Guillén|2015|p=67}}</ref>

Earlier in his Atlético Madrid career, Costa's physical play was used in support of [[Radamel Falcao]], thus ensuring a lower goalscoring rate. After Falcao was sold in 2013, the attack was restructured around Costa by manager Diego Simeone. Simeone, who like Costa was known for his competitiveness and aggression, found ways to enhance his discipline while retaining his determination.<ref name=starter/> In 2014, his club teammate [[Diego Godín]] described Costa as the team's "heartbeat", commenting that he "gives us everything," also adding: "Sometimes things aren't going well and he is able to open up the game with his strength and technique." Nick Dorrington of ''Bleacher Report'' described him as a "battering ram of a striker: Strong, quick and tireless in his pursuit of the ball," while the club's manager Simeone lauded his work-rate as being "contagious".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2012486-explaining-the-success-of-atletico-madrid-striker-diego-costa |title=Explaining the Success of Atletico Madrid Striker Diego Costa |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Dorrington |first1=Nick |date=1 April 2014 |access-date=6 June 2020 |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630104822/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2012486-explaining-the-success-of-atletico-madrid-striker-diego-costa |url-status=live }}</ref>

Ahead of his competitive debut for Chelsea in August 2014, [[BBC Sport]] pundit [[Robbie Savage]] described Costa as "the missing piece in the jigsaw" for the "clear favourites" who "could end up winning the title by five or six points". He explained that Chelsea's defence was already the strongest in the league, but a poorer rate of shot-to-goal conversion had cost them the title. He praised Costa's stature and physical style of play which "suits the Premier League down to the ground" in the same role that Didier Drogba previously played at Chelsea,<ref name=savage>{{cite web|first=Robbie|last=Savage|title=Robbie Savage: How Diego Costa gives Chelsea the finishing touch|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28797076|access-date=22 August 2014|work=BBC Sport|date=16 August 2014|archive-date=14 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514043746/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28797076|url-status=live}}</ref> an opinion also voiced by the league's top scorer of all-time, [[Alan Shearer]].<ref name=shearer>{{cite news|title=Diego Costa: Jose Mourinho hails 'special' Chelsea striker|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29193736|access-date=13 September 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 September 2014|archive-date=16 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916030135/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29193736|url-status=live}}</ref> Costa has also been attributed with a greater ability to keep possession of the ball than any Chelsea striker since Drogba first left the club in 2012.<ref name=bascombe>{{cite news|last1=Bascombe|first1=Chris|title=Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa and Thibaut Courtois: How did Chelsea's new signings fare in win at Burnley|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/11042370/Cesc-Fabregas-Diego-Costa-and-Thibaut-Courtois-How-did-Chelseas-new-signings-fare-in-win-at-Burnley.html|access-date=22 August 2014|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=18 August 2014|archive-date=27 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827032407/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/11042370/Cesc-Fabregas-Diego-Costa-and-Thibaut-Courtois-How-did-Chelseas-new-signings-fare-in-win-at-Burnley.html|url-status=live}}</ref> That same year, Henry Winter of ''The Telegraph'' noted that Costa "...has the technique, the strength and the burst of acceleration to destroy defences."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/11037994/Premier-League-season-preview-2014-15-Diego-Costa-powers-Chelseas-charge-for-the-title.html |title=Premier League season preview 2014-15: Diego Costa powers Chelsea's charge for the title |work=The Telegraph |last1=Winter |first1=Henry |date=15 August 2014 |access-date=6 June 2020 |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630104838/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/11037994/Premier-League-season-preview-2014-15-Diego-Costa-powers-Chelseas-charge-for-the-title.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Costa's size, technique, and strength, coupled with his link-up play and ability to hold up the ball with his back to goal allow him to be an effective ''target-man'';<ref name="battering ram">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-world-cup/4/blog/post/3541910/diego-costa-doesnt-fit-spain-style-but-sometimes-they-need-a-battering-ram |title=Diego Costa doesn't fit Spain style, but sometimes they need a battering ram |publisher=ESPN FC |last1=Carlisle |first1=Jeff |date=24 June 2018 |access-date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630104815/https://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-world-cup/4/blog/post/3541910/diego-costa-doesnt-fit-spain-style-but-sometimes-they-need-a-battering-ram |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/how-diego-costa-running-less-scoring-more-and-why-it-should-worry-spurs |title=How Diego Costa is running less but scoring more – and why it should worry Spurs |publisher=FourFourTwo |date=25 November 2016 |access-date=6 June 2020 |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630110319/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/how-diego-costa-running-less-scoring-more-and-why-it-should-worry-spurs |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2049791 |title=Why Diego Costa Will Win Chelsea the Premier League |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Pettigrove |first1=Jason |date=2 May 2014 |access-date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630104816/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2049791 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2017462-imagining-a-barcelona-team-with-atletico-madrid-striker-diego-costa-in-attack |title=Imagining a Barcelona Team with Atletico Madrid Striker Diego Costa in Attack |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Pettigrove |first1=Jason |date=8 April 2014 |access-date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630104822/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2017462-imagining-a-barcelona-team-with-atletico-madrid-striker-diego-costa-in-attack |url-status=live }}</ref> moreover, his constant movement and powerful running in the [[Forward (association football)#Centre-forward|centre-forward]] role allows him to distract opponents and in turn create space for teammates.<ref name="Costa helping Griezmann"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2018/11/02/5bdc2436e5fdead22c8b458f.html |title=Griezmann needs Diego Costa |work=Marca |last1=Medina |first1=David G. |last2=Brooke |first2=Charlie |date=2 November 2018 |access-date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630104815/https://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2018/11/02/5bdc2436e5fdead22c8b458f.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2125163-atletico-madrid-signing-mario-mandzukic-a-good-move-to-replace-diego-costa |title=Atletico Madrid Signing Mario Mandzukic a Good Move to Replace Diego Costa |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Matchett |first1=Karl |date=10 July 2014 |access-date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630104822/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2125163-atletico-madrid-signing-mario-mandzukic-a-good-move-to-replace-diego-costa |url-status=live }}</ref> Although he was initially known to be inconsistent in the earlier part of his career, due to his low goalscoring rate, he later established himself as a good finisher as his career progressed, which along with his composure in front of goal and ability inside the penalty box, made him a prolific goalscorer,<ref name="battering ram"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2592730-jose-mourinho-addresses-diego-costa-argument-after-chelsea-beat-maccabi-tel-aviv |title=Jose Mourinho Addresses Diego Costa Argument After Chelsea Beat Maccabi Tel Aviv |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Dudko |first1=James |date=24 November 2015 |access-date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630104832/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2592730-jose-mourinho-addresses-diego-costa-argument-after-chelsea-beat-maccabi-tel-aviv |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Ibrahimovic versus">{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/10669786/zlatan-ibrahimovic-versus-costa-firmino-aguero-sanchez-and-kane|title=Zlatan Ibrahimovic versus Costa, Firmino, Aguero, Sanchez and Kane|website=Sky Sports|first=Adam|last=Smith|date=24 November 2016|access-date=27 December 2016|archive-date=27 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227131247/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/10669786/zlatan-ibrahimovic-versus-costa-firmino-aguero-sanchez-and-kane|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="real deal">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29258252 |title=Diego Costa: Is Chelsea striker just a fast starter or the real deal? |publisher=BBC Sport |last1=West |first1=Andy |date=19 September 2014 |access-date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609193708/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29258252 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/sep/23/stoke-city-chelsea-premier-league-match-report |title=Álvaro Morata strikes treble for Chelsea in crushing defeat of Stoke |work=The Guardian |last1=James |first1=Stuart |date=23 September 2017 |access-date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630104819/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/sep/23/stoke-city-chelsea-premier-league-match-report |url-status=live }}</ref> and even saw him regarded by several pundits and managers as one of the best strikers in the world at his peak.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.football-espana.net/2020/04/26/diego-costa-talks-up-brazil-return-as-atletico-ready-to-move-on |title=Diego Costa talks up Brazil return as Atletico ready to move on |publisher=Football España |last1=Faulks |first1=Will |date=26 April 2020 |access-date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=18 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818000402/https://www.football-espana.net/2020/04/26/diego-costa-talks-up-brazil-return-as-atletico-ready-to-move-on |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Ibrahimovic vs Diego Costa">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/zlatan-ibrahimovic-vs-diego-costa-who-is-the-better-striker-10051602.html|title=Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs Diego Costa: Who is the better striker?|work=The Independent|first=Tom|last=Sheen|date=17 February 2015|access-date=26 December 2016|archive-date=2 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302091938/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/zlatan-ibrahimovic-vs-diego-costa-who-is-the-better-striker-10051602.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, Simeone lauded Costa for the "enthusiasm" and "aggression" he brings to Atlético Madrid, as well as his "speed, decisiveness, and physical strength."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jan/03/diego-costa-atletico-madrid-copa-del-rey-lleida-esporitu |title=Diego Costa back in the old routine with a debut goal for Atlético Madrid |work=The Guardian |last1=Lowe |first1=Sid |date=3 January 2018 |access-date=6 June 2020 |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630104816/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jan/03/diego-costa-atletico-madrid-copa-del-rey-lleida-esporitu |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Discipline and controversies===
 [[File:Martin Skrtel Diego Costa.jpg|thumb|right|Costa and [[Martin Škrtel]] have had several notable clashes. ]]
Costa has been the source of much controversy in his career due to confrontations with opponents, and has received multiple violent conduct charges from [[The Football Association]] of England.<ref>{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Nick |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/espn-fc-united-blog/68/post/2623531/diego-costa-and-luis-suarez-among-top-10-wind-up-merchants |title=Diego Costa, Luis Suarez and Pepe among football's wind-up merchants |work=[[ESPN]] |access-date=21 September 2015 |date=21 September 2015 |archive-date=27 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827032410/http://www.espnfc.com/blog/espn-fc-united-blog/68/post/2623531/diego-costa-and-luis-suarez-among-top-10-wind-up-merchants |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=ZoumaCheat/> Opposing managers have also opined that Costa himself intends to provoke his opponents.<ref name=Martinez>{{cite news|title=Diego Costa must learn respect – Everton boss Roberto Martinez|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29000964|access-date=31 August 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 August 2014|archive-date=24 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124234940/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29000964|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Danny Murphy (footballer, born 1977)|Danny Murphy]] of ''[[Match of the Day]]'' has stated that Costa is targeted by players who "wind him up," but he "remains calm", and is justified to taunt opponents who taunt him.<ref name=murphy>{{cite web|last1=Bevan|first1=Chris|title=Diego Costa: Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho's 'perfect kind of player'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29000902|access-date=31 August 2014|work=BBC Sport|date=31 August 2014|archive-date=24 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124234943/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29000902|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Pat Nevin]], a former Chelsea winger, believes that Costa's style of play is likely to cause himself "a few injuries".<ref name=shearer/> In August 2014, he was criticised by Everton manager [[Roberto Martínez]] for taunting Everton's [[Séamus Coleman]] following his own goal, and stated Costa needed "to understand the ethics" of the Premier League.<ref name=Martinez /> In October 2014, he clashed with Slovakia's Martin Škrtel in a [[UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying Group C|Euro 2016 qualifier]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bailey|first1=Ryan|title=Diego Costa and Martin Skrtel Get Physical During Euro 2016 Qualifier|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2226336-diego-costa-and-martin-skrtel-get-physical-during-euro-2016-qualifier|publisher=[[Bleacher Report]]|access-date=20 November 2015|date=9 October 2014|archive-date=21 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121054124/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2226336-diego-costa-and-martin-skrtel-get-physical-during-euro-2016-qualifier|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2015, following two stamp incidents involving Costa and Liverpool players for which Costa received a three-match ban by the FA, Liverpool manager [[Brendan Rodgers]] stated that he thought Costa had fouled his players when "he could easily have hurdled over the player" and "there's no need to do it".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Twomey|first1=Liam|title=Brendan Rodgers condemns 'nasty' Diego Costa|url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/85/england/2015/01/27/8374172/brendan-rodgers-condemns-nasty-diego-costa|access-date=20 February 2015|website=Goal.com|date=27 January 2015|archive-date=30 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630104818/https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/85/england/2015/01/27/8374172/brendan-rodgers-condemns-nasty-diego-costa|url-status=live}}</ref> Costa described his style of play as "strong but noble", and refuted allegations that he deliberately aims to injure opponents.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chelsea striker Diego Costa says he is a 'strong but noble' player|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31450221|access-date=15 February 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 February 2015|archive-date=4 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304124014/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31450221|url-status=live}}</ref>

In late 2015, Costa was the subject of scrutiny for his comparatively poor start to his second season at Chelsea and his low scoring rate for Spain.<ref name=guardspain/> French newspaper ''[[L'Equipe]]'' named Costa as the most hated footballer in December 2015, based on his provocative and violent behaviour.<ref>{{cite news|title=Estos son los futbolistas más odiados del mundo|trans-title=These are the world's most hated footballers|url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/20151228/301076321747/futbolistas-mas-odiados-mundo-l-equipe-diego-costa-balotelli-cristiano-ronaldo-busquets.html|access-date=29 December 2015|work=El Mundo Deportivo|date=28 December 2015|language=es|archive-date=30 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630104815/https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/20151228/301076321747/futbolistas-mas-odiados-mundo-l-equipe-diego-costa-balotelli-cristiano-ronaldo-busquets.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{{updated|match played 8 December 2024|<ref name=sw>{{soccerway|diego-da-silva-costa/60977|Diego Costa}}</ref>}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [[Taça de Portugal]], [[Copa del Rey]], [[FA Cup]], [[Copa do Brasil]]}}
!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes [[EFL Cup|Football League Cup/EFL Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|[[F.C. Penafiel|Penafiel]] (loan)
|[[2006–07 Liga de Honra|2006–07]]
|[[Liga Portugal 2|Liga de Honra]]
|13||5||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||14||5
|-
|[[S.C. Braga|Braga]] (loan)
|[[2006–07 Primeira Liga|2006–07]]
|[[Primeira Liga]]
|6||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||1||colspan="2"|—||9||1
|-
|[[RC Celta de Vigo|Celta Vigo]] (loan)
|[[2007–08 Segunda División|2007–08]]
|[[Segunda División]]
|30||6||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||31||6
|-
|[[Albacete Balompié|Albacete]] (loan)
|[[2008–09 Segunda División|2008–09]]
|Segunda División
|35||10||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||36||10
|-
|[[Real Valladolid|Valladolid]]
|[[2009–10 Real Valladolid season|2009–10]]
|[[La Liga]]
|34||8||2||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||36||9
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Atlético Madrid]]
|[[2010–11 Atlético Madrid season|2010–11]]
|La Liga
|28||6||5||1||colspan="2"|—||6{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League]]|name=UEL}}||1||colspan="2"|—||39||8
|-
|[[2012–13 Atlético Madrid season|2012–13]]
|La Liga
|31||10||8||8||colspan="2"|—||5{{efn|name=UEL}}||2||colspan="2"|—||44||20
|-
|[[2013–14 Atlético Madrid season|2013–14]]
|La Liga
|35||27||6||1||colspan="2"|—||9{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]|name=UCL}}||8||2{{efn|Appearances in [[Supercopa de España]]|name=SDE}}|||0||52||36
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!94!!43!!19!!10!!colspan="2"|—!!20!!11!!2!!0!!135!!64
|-
|[[Rayo Vallecano]] (loan)
|[[2011–12 Rayo Vallecano season|2011–12]]
|La Liga
|16||10||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||16||10
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
|[[2014–15 Chelsea F.C. season|2014–15]]
|[[Premier League]]
|26||20||1||0||3||1||7{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||37||21
|-
|[[2015–16 Chelsea F.C. season|2015–16]]
|Premier League
|28||12||4||2||1||0||8{{efn|name=UCL}}||2||colspan="2"|—||41||16
|-
|[[2016–17 Chelsea F.C. season|2016–17]]
|Premier League
|35||20||5||2||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||42||22
|-
|[[2017–18 Chelsea F.C. season|2017–18]]
|Premier League
|0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!89!!52!!10!!4!!6!!1!!15!!2!!colspan="2"|—!!120!!59
|-
|rowspan="6"|Atlético Madrid
|[[2017–18 Atlético Madrid season|2017–18]]
|La Liga
|15||3||3||2||colspan="2"|—||5{{efn|name=UEL}}||2||colspan="2"|—||23||7
|-
|[[2018–19 Atlético Madrid season|2018–19]]
|La Liga
|16||2||0||0||colspan="2"|—||4{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||1{{efn|Appearance in [[UEFA Super Cup]]|name=USC}}||2||21||5
|-
|[[2019–20 Atlético Madrid season|2019–20]]
|La Liga
|23||5||0||0||colspan="2"|—||7{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||0||0||30||5
|-
|[[2020–21 Atlético Madrid season|2020–21]]
|La Liga
|7||2||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||colspan="2"|—||7||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!61!!12!!3!!2!!colspan="2"|—!!16!!3!!1!!2!!81!!19
|-
!colspan="2"|{{nowrap|Atlético Madrid total}}
!155!!55!!22!!12!!colspan="2"|—!!36!!14!!3!!2!!216!!83
|-
|[[Clube Atlético Mineiro|Atlético Mineiro]]
|[[2021 Clube Atlético Mineiro season|2021]]
|[[Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|Série A]]
|15||4||3||1||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|Appearances in [[Copa Libertadores]]|name=Lib}}||0||colspan="2"|—||19||5
|-
|[[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]]
|[[2022–23 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season|2022–23]]
|Premier League
|23||1||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||25||1
|-
|[[Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas|Botafogo]]
|[[2023 Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas season|2023]]
|Série A
|13||3||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|Appearances in [[Copa Sudamericana]]|name=Sud}}||0||colspan="2"|—||15||3
|-
|[[Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense|Grêmio]]
|[[2024 Grêmio FBPA season|2024]]
|Série A
|14||1||2||0||colspan="2"|—||4{{efn|name=Lib}}||1||6{{efn|Appearances in [[Campeonato Gaúcho]]}}||6||26||8
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!443!!155!!44!!18!!7!!1!!60!!18!!9!!8!!561!!200
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
{{updated|match played 1 July 2018}}<ref name=nft>{{cite web|title=Diego Costa|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/51873/Diego_Costa.html|website=National-Football-Teams.com|access-date=22 August 2014|archive-date=23 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923145138/http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/51873/Diego_Costa.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Brazil national football team|Brazil]]
|2013||2||0
|-
!Total!!2!!0
|-
|rowspan="6"|[[Spain national football team|Spain]]
|2014||7||1
|-
|2015||3||0
|-
|2016||4||3
|-
|2017||2||2
|-
|2018||8||4
|-
!Total!!24!!10
|-
!colspan="2"|Career total!!26!!10
|}

:''As of match played 20 June 2018. Spain score listed first, score column indicates score after each Costa goal.''<ref name=nft/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=28539 |title=Diego Costa |website=European Football |access-date=25 March 2017 |archive-date=24 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924001551/https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=28539 |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
|-
!scope=col|No.
!scope=col data-sort-type=date|Date
!scope=col|Venue
!scope=col|Cap
!scope=col|Opponent
!scope=col|Score
!scope=col|Result
!scope=col|Competition
|-
!scope=row|1
|12 October 2014||[[Stade Josy Barthel]], [[Luxembourg City]], Luxembourg||align=center|7||{{fb|LUX}}||align=center|3–0|| align="center" |4–0||[[UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying Group C|UEFA Euro 2016 qualification]]
|-
!scope=row|2
|rowspan=2|5 September 2016||rowspan=2|[[Estadio Reino de León]], [[León, Spain|León]], Spain||rowspan=2 align=center|12||rowspan=2|{{fb|LIE}}||align=center|1–0|| rowspan="2" align="center" |8–0||rowspan=2|[[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group G|2018 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
!scope=row|3
|align=center|5–0
|-
!scope=row|4
|9 October 2016||[[Loro Boriçi Stadium]], [[Shkodër]], Albania||align=center|14||{{fb|ALB}}||align=center|1–0|| align="center" |2–0 || 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
!scope=row|5
|24 March 2017||[[El Molinón]], [[Gijón]], Spain||align=center|15||{{fb|ISR}}||align=center|3–0|| align="center" |4–1 || 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
!scope=row|6
|11 June 2017||[[Philip II Arena]], [[Skopje]], Macedonia||align=center|16||{{fb|MKD|name=Macedonia}}||align=center|2–0|| align="center" |2–1 || 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
!scope=row|7
|27 March 2018||[[Metropolitano Stadium|Wanda Metropolitano]], [[Madrid]], Spain||align=center|18||{{fb|ARG}}||align=center|1–0|| align="center" |6–1||[[Exhibition game#Association football|Friendly]]
|-
!scope=row|8
|rowspan=2|15 June 2018||rowspan=2|[[Fisht Olympic Stadium]], [[Sochi]], Russia||rowspan=2 align=center|21||rowspan=2|{{fb|POR}}||align=center|1–1|| rowspan="2" align="center" |3–3||rowspan=2|[[2018 FIFA World Cup Group B|2018 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
!scope=row|9
|align=center|2–2
|-
!scope=row|10
|20 June 2018||[[Kazan Arena]], [[Kazan]], Russia||align=center|22||{{fb|IRN}}||align=center|1–0|| align="center" |1–0 ||2018 FIFA World Cup
|}

==Honours==
[[File:Chelsea 2 West Brom 0 The Blues go marching on. (15239125053).jpg|thumb|Chelsea supporters' banner in honour of Costa, November 2014]]

'''Atlético Madrid'''
*[[La Liga]]: [[2013–14 La Liga|2013–14]],<ref name=liga/> [[2020–21 La Liga|2020–21]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/atletico-madrid/2021/06/18/60cca961e2704e5da98b4572.html|title=Diego Costa: His last trophy, the story of his abrupt Atletico departure and a possible move to Turkey|date=18 June 2021|publisher=Marca|access-date=19 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201008/https://amp.marca.com/en/football/atletico-madrid/2021/06/18/60cca961e2704e5da98b4572.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Copa del Rey]]: [[2012–13 Copa del Rey|2012–13]]<ref name=copareal/>
*[[UEFA Europa League]]: [[2017–18 UEFA Europa League|2017–18]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44113764 |title=Marseille 0–3 Atlético Madrid |first=Shamoon |last=Hafez |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 May 2018 |access-date=27 April 2019 |archive-date=28 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328044625/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44113764 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[UEFA Super Cup]]: [[2010 UEFA Super Cup|2010]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/match/2002327--inter-vs-atleti/ |title=Slick Atlético seal Super Cup success |publisher=UEFA |date=27 August 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024171105/https://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/matches/season=2010/round=2000123/match=2002327/index.html |archive-date=24 October 2018}}</ref> [[2012 UEFA Super Cup|2012]],<ref name=2012UEFASUperCup/> [[2018 UEFA Super Cup|2018]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45188611 |title=Real Madrid 2–4 Atlético Madrid |first=Emma |last=Sanders |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 August 2018 |access-date=27 April 2019 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327181020/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45188611 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[UEFA Champions League]] runner-up: [[2013–14 UEFA Champions League|2013–14]]<ref name=2014UEFAChampionsLeagueFinal/>

'''Chelsea'''
*[[Premier League]]: [[2014–15 Premier League|2014–15]], [[2016–17 Premier League|2016–17]]<ref name=PremProfile>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/4941/Diego-Costa/overview |title=Diego Costa: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=29 September 2018 |archive-date=17 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417061453/https://www.premierleague.com/players/4941/Diego-Costa/overview |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Football League Cup]]: [[2014–15 Football League Cup|2014–15]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31572594 |title=Chelsea 2–0 Tottenham Hotspur |first=Phil |last=McNulty |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 March 2015 |access-date=27 April 2019 |archive-date=16 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616231951/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31572594 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[FA Cup]] runner-up: [[2016–17 FA Cup|2016–17]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39984089 |title=Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea |first=Phil |last=McNulty |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 May 2017 |access-date=18 May 2019 |archive-date=8 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508054223/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39984089 |url-status=live }}</ref>

'''Atlético Mineiro'''
*[[Campeonato Brasileiro Série A]]: [[2021 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|2021]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=3 December 2021|title=Atletico Mineiro wins 1st Brazilian championship in 50 years|url=https://apnews.com/article/soccer-sports-la-liga-brazil-belo-horizonte-2a7328b4fbfd19c94467bba554d42d6b|url-status=live|access-date=3 December 2021|website=AP NEWS |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203073516/https://apnews.com/article/soccer-sports-la-liga-brazil-belo-horizonte-2a7328b4fbfd19c94467bba554d42d6b |archive-date=3 December 2021 }}</ref>
* [[Copa do Brasil]]: [[2021 Copa do Brasil|2021]]

'''Grêmio'''
*[[Campeonato Gaúcho]]: [[2024 Campeonato Gaúcho|2024]]

'''Individual'''
*[[La Liga Player of the Month]]: [[2013–14 La Liga#Monthly|September 2013]]<ref name=lfp/>
*[[LFP Awards#Team of the Year|La Liga Team of the Season]]: [[2013–14 La Liga|2013–14]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Liga BBVA team of the season |url=http://www.laliga.es/en/news/the-liga-bbva-team-of-the-season|access-date=26 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205133841/https://www.laliga.es/en/news/the-liga-bbva-team-of-the-season|archive-date=5 December 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Trofeo EFE]]: 2013–14<ref>{{cite news|title=Diego Costa gana el Trofeo EFE como mejor iberoamericano de la Liga española|url=http://ecodiario.eleconomista.es/futbol/noticias/5787669/05/14/Diego-Costa-gana-el-Trofeo-EFE-como-mejor-iberoamericano-de-la-Liga-espanola.html#.Kku8LkO4na3wXC2|access-date=13 September 2014|work=[[El Economista (Spain)|El Economista]]|date=18 May 2014|trans-title=Diego Costa wins the Trofeo EFE as the best Ibero-American in the Spanish Liga|language=es|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107025824/http://ecodiario.eleconomista.es/futbol/noticias/5787669/05/14/Diego-Costa-gana-el-Trofeo-EFE-como-mejor-iberoamericano-de-la-Liga-espanola.html#.Kku8LkO4na3wXC2|url-status=live}}</ref>
*UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: [[2013–14 UEFA Champions League#Squad of the season|2013–14]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0252-0ce44643bfcd-c32e4b484ab1-1000--uefa-champions-league-squad-of-the-season/|title=UEFA Champions League squad of the season|publisher=UEFA|date=2 June 2014|access-date=26 January 2016|archive-date=4 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604111327/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2111959.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Zarra Trophy]]: 2013–14<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.atleticodemadrid.com/noticias/simeone-courtois-and-diego-costa-received-awards-from-marca-2|title=Simeone, Courtois and Diego Costa, received awards from MARCA|publisher=Atlético de Madrid|date=10 November 2014|access-date=17 August 2019|archive-date=17 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817053308/https://en.atleticodemadrid.com/noticias/simeone-courtois-and-diego-costa-received-awards-from-marca-2|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Premier League Player of the Month]]: [[2014–15 Premier League#Monthly awards|August 2014]], [[2016–17 Premier League#Monthly awards|November 2016]]<ref name=PremProfile/>
*[[PFA Team of the Year]]: [[PFA Team of the Year (2010s)#Premier League 6|2014–15 Premier League]]<ref name=PFATOTY1415/>

'''Records'''
*Fastest goal in the [[UEFA Super Cup]]: [[2018 UEFA Super Cup|2018]] (49 seconds in against [[Real Madrid]])<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/costa-sets-uefa-super-cup-record-with-first-minute-goal/1dvq1pxj3cihy1i6oyis7mqtsr|title=Costa sets UEFA Super Cup record with first minute goal against Real Madrid|publisher=Goal.com|date=15 August 2018|access-date=10 August 2019|archive-date=10 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810034745/https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/costa-sets-uefa-super-cup-record-with-first-minute-goal/1dvq1pxj3cihy1i6oyis7mqtsr|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of Spain international footballers born outside Spain]]
*[[List of association footballers who have been capped for two senior national teams]]

==References==
'''General'''
*{{Citation|last=Guillén|first=Fran|title=The Art of War|publisher=Arena Sport|year=2015|isbn=978-1-909715-29-5}}.

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://rfef.es/es/selecciones/jugadores/diego-costa Profile] at the Royal Spanish Football Federation website {{in lang|es}}
* {{Premier League player}}
* {{FIFA player}}
* {{UEFA player}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Spain squads
| bg = #C60B1E
| fg = #FBEA0E
| bordercolor = #000033
| list1 =
{{Spain squad 2014 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Spain squad 2018 FIFA World Cup}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg= gold
| fg= black
| list1 = 
{{Copa del Rey top scorers}}
{{Trofeo EFE}}
{{2013–14 La Liga Team of the Year}}
{{2014–15 Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}
{{Campeonato Gaúcho top scorers}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Costa, Diego}}
[[Category:1988 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Sergipe]]
[[Category:Spanish men's footballers]]
[[Category:Spain men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Brazilian men's footballers]]
[[Category:Brazil men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Brazilian emigrants to Spain]]
[[Category:Naturalised citizens of Spain]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Primeira Liga players]]
[[Category:Liga Portugal 2 players]]
[[Category:S.C. Braga players]]
[[Category:F.C. Penafiel players]]
[[Category:La Liga players]]
[[Category:Segunda División players]]
[[Category:Atlético Madrid footballers]]
[[Category:RC Celta de Vigo players]]
[[Category:Albacete Balompié players]]
[[Category:Real Valladolid players]]
[[Category:Rayo Vallecano players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:Chelsea F.C. players]]
[[Category:Campeonato Brasileiro Série A players]]
[[Category:Clube Atlético Mineiro players]]
[[Category:Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. players]]
[[Category:Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas players]]
[[Category:Grêmio FBPA players]]
[[Category:Dual internationalists (men's football)]]
[[Category:2014 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:Brazilian expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Spanish expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Portugal]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England]]
[[Category:Brazilian expatriate sportspeople in Portugal]]
[[Category:Brazilian expatriate sportspeople in Spain]]
[[Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in England]]
[[Category:2018 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:Naturalised association football players]]
[[Category:People from Lagarto, Sergipe]]
[[Category:UEFA Europa League–winning players]]
[[Category:21st-century Brazilian sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century Spanish sportsmen]]