Diego Costa chose to play for adopted country Spain instead of Brazil where he was born because everything he has achieved professionally has been given to him by the Iberian nation, he said on Wednesday.
.
The Atletico Madrid forward, top scorer in La Liga this season, signed a formal letter on Tuesday declaring his availability to Spain coach Vicente del Bosque, a decision that prompted an angry reaction from Del Bosque's Brazil counterpart Luiz Felipe Scolari.
.
"It was a very difficult decision but everything I have achieved in my life, everything has been given to me by this country (Spain)," Costa said on the world and European champions' official website (www.sefutbol.com).
.
"I feel extremely valued here for everything I do, for the work I do on a daily basis, and I feel people's affection," the 25-year-old added.
.
"I devoted a lot of thought to the decision and I hope people respect it and understand that it's not a rejection of Brazil."
.
Costa's decision led Scolari to withdraw the player's invitation to take part in friendlies against Honduras and Chile next month.