Atlético players back and forth

Diego Costa

The Spanish-Brazilian striker, currently at Atlético Mineiro, lived for many years linked to Atlético, but chaining various assignments until he settled in the team (Sporting de Braga, Celta, Albacete, Valladolid and Rayo). But, with Simeone, his explosion came as a spectacular striker. He returned from Vallecas recovered from his knee and made aware to earn a place in the team and achieved 20 goals and 9 assists in the 2012-13 season, finishing as the top scorer in the Cup where Atlético took the title at the Santiago Bernabéu with so much of the ’19’ included. Without Falcao, Costa assumed that responsibility and lived the best year of his career with 36 goals in 2013-14, 27 of them to lift the league title. Blazing performances that led Chelsea to pay their clause at the conclusion of the championship and a Champions League final where they could barely participate. Three years with the London team at a good level were clouded by his problems with Conte and Costa was clear about it, he wanted to return to Atlético, even if a FIFA sanction prevented his registration until January 2018. His performance was never again nor closely the one he had left in his goodbye, but with Costa the titles returned, appearing at key moments. Goal in the semifinals of the Europa League and a double in the European Super Cup against Real Madrid to sweeten his last stage where injuries were constantly weighing him down. He left in December 2020 having his opening role for the league title.