9 Things Chelsea Fans Need To Know About Diego Costa

9. He Learned To Play Football On The Streets

While the cream of the crop of Spanish football get their football education from academies with top-notch facilities and coaching staff, with the likes of Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta learning their trade at Barcelona's world-renowned La Masia, Diego Costa once admitted: "the street was my school". Born in Lagarto, Sergipe, Brazil, Costa was limited to street football until the age of 16 and once revealed this upbringing roughened his personality and made him more tenacious. He said: "On the pitch I fought with everyone, I couldn't control myself.

"I insulted everyone, I had no respect for the opposition, I thought I had to kill them. Boys who grew up playing in academies are taught to control themselves and respect others, but no-one ever told me otherwise, I didn't have a school to teach me this. I was used to seeing players elbowing each other in the face and thought it was the norm."

Following his alternative introduction to the world of football, Costa joined Barcelona Esportivo Capela as a youth, and later began his senior playing career with Braga. But that wouldn't be the last we'd see of his fiery personality...