Diego Costa has responded to the Spanish press for treating him differently due to his Brazilian heritage.
The Chelsea striker replaced Alvaro Morata early in the first half against Belgium for his first appearence in a Spain shirt since before the Euros. The 27-year-old was excluded from Vicente del Bosque's squad that went to France due to poor performances with Chelsea in his second year at the club.
Under new Spain manager, Julen Lopetegui, Costa is hoping to revitalise his flagging international career but believes the unfair press he gets for not being from Spain will not help with his chances of doing so.
“I get criticised a lot, I think I had a good game, possibly my best [for Spain]."
"If I was at Real Madrid or Barcelona , you would say then that I played a great match, but as I am not a native Spanish, people always criticize me in some way."
"The goals will come. The press is sometimes right – I have not done great things with the national side. But when I do good things, it should be said. I know when I have not played well.”
“I’m criticised for my character, but I also have quality. I won’t change, even if I’m criticised. It’s true that sometimes I‘m wrong, but I don’t need anyone from the outside to tell me. I have a lot of people around me and they say these things to my face, which is good. Everyone has moments of anger.”
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