Why Diego Costa Is a Better Fit for Brazil Than Spain

There aren't many players that get to choose between two of the world's best footballing countries but then Diego Costa isn't a normal player.

Chelsea are quickly learning that the striker has a personality and a particular skill set like no other.

The former Atletico Madrid forward was born in Brazil, but he decided he wished to represent Spain after being granted dual nationality in 2013, via Football Espana.

It can't have been an easy decision for Costa and the fact he appeared as a substitute for Brazil on two separate occasions means he was open to the idea of representing his country of birth.

"(Luiz Felipe) Scolari never called me by telephone. The only coach that I spoke with was Del Bosque who showed interest in me, invited me for a meal and made me realise that I was in his plans," Costa explained to the media before the World Cup, per Reuters (h/t Daily Mail).

The big issue with Costa, it appears, was the desire to be wanted.

It's an alternative way of looking at things for an international; after all Scolari is no longer in position and Del Bosque will probably leave La Roja in the next two years.

However, Scolari told O Estado de Sao Paulo he believed there were other factors affecting the situation, as noted in the Daily Mail piece: "The problem is that there are other interests behind everything. With Diego Costa a Spanish citizen it opens doors in Europe."

It's arguable that the forward would have been a better fit stylistically for his homeland.

Brazil has a rich tradition of strong, powerful and quick strikers in Costa's mould.

Ronaldo, Adriano and even Pele had some similar characteristics to Costa.

The five-time World Cup champions are often heralded as an attacking delight, but the football displayed by current manager Dunga and his predecessor Scolari is far from elaborate.

They prefer to setup in an organised manner that is difficult to break down and then rely on one or two creative talents further up the pitch.

Costa would have been perfect for this role, as he functions perfectly within this ideology, while simultaneously benefiting the likes of Neymar with his unselfish manner.

This genre is closer to that of Diego Simeone and Jose Mourinho than that of Spain's possession-based approach.

Despite a disappointing World Cup, Spain had the ball the most of any team with an average of 59.1 percent as opposed to 11th placed Brazil's 52.9 percent, via Whoscored.com.

Of course, Spain are now trying to adapt their style to become more direct, but that's largely to utilise Costa.

"I don’t want to make excuses either but I think we didn’t connect with him (Costa); we didn’t get accustomed to him as we should have done," Del Bosque told El Pais after the World Cup failure, per Goal.com.

"But he clearly didn’t arrive fully fit. Diego is a great kid and very nice who fitted in perfectly."

The forward now has his first goal for Spain and his selection alongside Paco Alcacer seems to be part of the resolution.

His relationship with international teammate Cesc Fabregas has also blossomed at club level, although the former Barcelona midfielder has had his own adjustment dilemma.

Chelsea's Oscar, Willian and Ramires were all part of Brazil's World Cup squad, while Filipe Luis—who also moved to Stamford Bridge from Madrid in the summer—was unlucky not to receive a call-up.

They all possess a work ethic that fits the profile of Brazil at present and it's an attribute that Costa has in abundance.

There's every chance that Costa will be a success for Spain, it's just that he would have been far likelier to make an instant impact for Brazil.