Diego Costa

[RedReet]

He was key to their Euro 2006 win, which kicked off their period of dominance. He was a cracking player.

[RedReet]

Ha, just Wiki'd him and he too was granted citizenship the same year as the Euro's, similar to Costa with the world cup.


Actually, that's a pretty boring fact.

[PTP]

i know, i was taking the piss

[Darkon]

I think it's fairly common tbh. Portugal have had a few Brazilians in their team with Deco and Pepe from Real the most famous, Italy have had a couple of Argentinians with Camoranesi the most prominant I can think of and that Eduardo that played for Arsenal was a Croatian international but Brazilian. And a lot more examples around, and that's just internationals. One of the stranger changes I remember was Boateng opting for Ghana instead of Germany!

IIRC Subotic is born American but plays for Serbia now?

[Resu]

I can think of at least four players that has chosen other countries over Norway, all of which are good enough to be in contention for the senior or U-21 team.

[fah-q]

I think it's fairly common tbh. Portugal have had a few Brazilians in their team with Deco and Pepe from Real the most famous, Italy have had a couple of Argentinians with Camoranesi the most prominant I can think of and that Eduardo that played for Arsenal was a Croatian international but Brazilian. And a lot more examples around, and that's just internationals. One of the stranger changes I remember was Boateng opting for Ghana instead of Germany!

IIRC Subotic is born American but plays for Serbia now?

A lot of South American's particularly Brazilians and Argentinians have Italian, Spanish or Portugese heritage which is also the reason a lot qualify for these passports when they come to Europe.

[G]

Still can't believe England let us have a player of Cascarino's quality!

[Darkon]

A lot of South American's particularly Brazilians and Argentinians have Italian, Spanish or Portugese heritage which is also the reason a lot qualify for these passports when they come to Europe.

Yeah I know, and also the reason why many African and former Yugoslavian countries have people changing nationality. In the later cases it's often to do with national feeling/pride as well though, and not just the chance to play internationals as in the case with Costa.

[Shaggy]

How come he didn't make his Spanish debut this week? Did he get injured?

He was never due to play - he'd just informed the Spanish FA before this round of games. Wasn't gonna be possible to play in either of them.

[RedReet]

He was never due to play - he'd just informed the Spanish FA before this round of games. Wasn't gonna be possible to play in either of them.

I thought that happened last time? Was convinced I'd read he'd definitely make his debut this time. Must be because the squads were announced a few weeks ago I got confused.

[Norbs]

Still can't believe England let us have a player of Cascarino's quality!

I can't believe Italy were willing to let England have him

[G]

[Mike]

So he has confirmed he wants to play for Spain; has signed some sort of contract for it.

He'll get a hasty reception in Brazil next year

[Fernandinho]

Fingers crossed we see Brazil vs Spain in the later stages, it will be even more interesting with all the sub plots such as Dani Alves/Neymar against the Barca boys and Costa playing against his birth nation.

[Bender]

he'll move for big money ...so he should change his name to Diego Costa Fortune