FANS gushed “that’s football heritage” after hardman Diego Costa headbutted a rival during a fearsome clash.
The Chelsea icon and former Spain international, 35, is back in his native Brazil playing for top-flight giants Gremio.
Costa’s aggressive style and physicality became part of Stamford Bridge folklore during his three-and-a-half years in London.
Capital rivals Arsenal can certainly attest to feeling Costa’s wrath after he went up against several of their stars.
And it seems the striker has not lost an ounce of his rage after getting caught up in a scrap on Tuesday.
Gremio were hosting Chilean side Huachipato in their Copa Libertadores group stage match when the wild scenes occurred.
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With the Brazilian side heading into the break at 1-0 down, Costa became embroiled in a fight with a rival on the pitch.
The two men squared up as players and even officials rushed towards them.
And before anyone could get near, Costa landed a headbutt on his opponent.
This sparked a furious reaction from Huachipato players, with several attempting to launch themselves at Costa.
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But the man mountain only had eyes for his original foe and continued to make a beeline for him.
However, despite getting things under control, the referee failed to produce a red card.
Instead, he gave Costa just a yellow card, leaving Huachipato incensed.
Gremio went on to lose 2-0, with Costa failing to add to the six goals he’s already managed in just seven games.
That’s two more than he managed at his last two clubs, Wolves and Botafogo.
And fans were delighted at seeing him back in angry mode, with one saying: “This is football heritage.”
Another declared: “He’s back. Scratch that, he never left.”
One noted: “The old Diego Costa, I love it.”
Another added: “The Costa we know and love.”
Diego Costa’s career stats
Those numbers in full:
- Penafiel, 2006: 14 games, 5 goals
- Braga, 2007: 9 games, 1 goal
- Celta Vigo, 2007-2008: 31 games, 6 goals
- Albacete, 2008-2009: 36 games, 10 goals
- Valladolid, 2009-2010: 36 games, 9 goals
- Atletico Madrid, 2010-2014: 135 games, 64 goals
- Raya Vallecano (loan), 2011-2012: 16 games, 10 goals
- Chelsea, 2014-2018: 120 games, 59 goals
- Atletico Madrid, 2018-2021: 81 games, 19 goals
- Atletico Mineiro, 2021-2022: 19 games, 5 goals
- Wolves, 2022-203: 25 games, 1 goal
- Botafogo, 2023: 15 games, 3 goals
- Gremio, 2024: 7 games, 6 goals
- Brazil, 2013: 2 games, 0 goals
- Spain, 2014-2018: 24 games, 10 goals
- Trophies: La Liga x2, Copa del Rey, Europa League, Uefa Super Cup x3 (Atletico Madrid); Premier League x2, Carabao Cup (Chelsea); Brazilian Serie A, Brazilian Cup (Atletico Mineiro); Gaucho Championship (Gremio)
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
