Atlético Madrid striker Diego Costa has hailed coach Diego Simeone for helping to turn his career around.
The Brazilian had struggled for regular first team football after joining the club in 2010, due to a number of injuries, and subsequently spent the second half of last season on loan at Rayo Vallecano.
However, his recent form has helped propel him back into Simeone’s plans and he has thanked the Argentine for helping him return to his best.
The 26-year-old said: “He told me he didn’t have any friends in the squad, that whoever is better at the moment will play.
“Whoever fights and gives everything will play. This gave me confidence that I had made the right decision to stay.”
Costa also admitted he made mistakes earlier in his Atlético career, but says he has matured and learnt his lessons from the past.
He added: “In life you learn from your errors, it would have been stupid of me not to have learnt from my errors.
“Not only as a player, but as a person. It’s not been easy for me, with loans, operations, and rehabilitation, but life is a constant lesson we must learn from.
“Sometimes you don’t have the same touch of inspiration as other days, but if I put in the effort, the hard work, if I give everything, I will reap the rewards. That is my mentality.”
Source: Goal.com
