Diego Costa was slated to join the Spanish National team this week but documentation issues with FIFA impeded him from doing so. As a result, the Brazilian-born star has a chance to join Brazil in the upcoming World Cup. Brazilian defender Dani Alves is urging to do so.
"I ask Diego Costa to take the decision with a cool head, because he would also be an important player for Brazil," Alves said, according to ESPN. "He is not pichichi of La Liga for nothing. These decisions are very personal and whatever Diego Costa decides must be respected, but I would suggest he thinks coolly because he cannot later turn back."
Costa has played in two friendlies for Brazil but he is not tied to the team because he has not been on the roster for a competitive match. He would have filled that requirement for Spain this upcoming week, but it seems that he will have more time to make his final decision. Barring two losses from the Spaniards, it looks like the team will book its passage to the World Cup this week; the next competitive match for Spain would be in the World Cup next summer. The same holds true for Brazil and coach Felipe Scolari who could be rethinking his constant omissions of Costa in Brazilian games. Costa is only 24 and has been terrific for his club Atletico Madrid this season. Brazil's top striker options include Fred, Jo, Alexandre Pato and Leandro Damiao. However, none of them have proven themselves the way Costa has this season.
"I have not spoken with Diego Costa about this decision because I do not want to interfere," he said. "Diego will know what is the best for him. If, in the end, he decides to play for Spain, we must respect that. The same happened to me in 2006, when I was at Sevilla, and I decided to play for the team of my own country."
Alves has been known for speaking openly about what he thinks other Brazilian players should do. The Barcelona defender urged Neymar to join his club this past summer; Neymar did just that.
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