Diego Costa, a striker who had previously played for Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, will continue his career in Brazil with Gremio. Following Botafogo’s decision to let the 35-year-old’s contract end after four months, he found himself without a club. Costa had a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/09/12/diego-costa-returns-to-the-premier-league-with-wolves/">brief stint with Wolves</a> before. However, his effect in England was much less than it had been during his peak years with Chelsea.



Before departing last summer, he spent eight months at Molineux, making 25 appearances and scoring just once. The veteran is most known for his <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/remembering-when-jose-mourinho-and-diego-costa-were-la-ligas-problems-20151005-CMS-153730.html">three years at Chelsea</a>. During his time at Stamford Bridge, he scored 59 goals and won the Premier League twice.



However, Costa has since signed with Gremio, moving on to a new club. As of Thursday night, <a href="https://gremio.net/noticias/detalhes/27303/gremio-fecha-acordo-com-diego-costa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the team announced</a>: “He is Spanish, but has Brazilian blood and titles wherever he has been!



“Diego Costa arrives to strengthen Imortal’s attack. Multi-time champion in Europe, he has already worn yellow and red and will now defend the Tricolor mantle. Welcome!’



<h2>How did Costa fare in his career?</h2>



After beginning his professional career with Braga in February 2006, Costa has already played for 12 different clubs. Before joining <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/atletico-madrid-tv-schedule/">Atletico Madrid</a> in December 2006, he went on loan to Penafiel. Costa stayed at Braga until the season ended, albeit he only made seven appearances and scored zero goals.



Atletico president Enrique Cerezo gave Costa the nickname “new Kaka” upon his unveiling. He debuted for the team in August 2007, however he was loaned out to Celta Vigo the same month. While on loan there, the Brazil-born Spaniard became a mainstay and had a productive season.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240209_WST_488779_Diego-Costa-Botafogo-1200x670_57d93bd7.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-488846" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Diego-Costa-Botafogo-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Diego-Costa-Botafogo-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Diego-Costa-Botafogo-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Diego-Costa-Botafogo.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



Before the 2010-11 season, the striker had two more loan stints, one with Albacete and the other with Real Valladolid. That is when the Spaniards finally allowed him to prove himself with the first squad.



Although he started the season as a substitute for Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan, Costa eventually earned a spot in the starting lineup. Unfortunately, he had to miss six months of football action in 2011 after injuring his knee badly in the summer.



To get back to his old level of sharpness, he went on loan to Vallecano in January of the following year. There, he had a productive loan, reaching 16 games and scoring 10 goals. That shape allowed him to make a triumphant comeback to Madrid and solidify his position as a key member of the team.



As the Colchoneros won the Copa del Rey in 2012-13, the star scored a total of 20 goals in all competitions. While Diego Simeone’s team won La Liga but lost the Champions League final, he improved upon his total by netting 36 times in 52 appearances.



<h2>Is Diego Costa a perfect Suarez replacement at Gremio?</h2>



During the 2013-14 season, Costa was at times unplayable, which led to a massive transfer to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea</a>. While playing with the Blues, the Spaniard was an integral part of the team that won the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/watch-premier-league-on-us-tv-internet/">Premier League</a> back-to-back in 2013 and 2014. He scored 59 goals in 120 games for the club.



But when he returned under Diego Simeone in January 2018, he didn’t have the same success or impact as before. He left the club for Atletico Mineiro of Brazil after scoring only 19 goals in 81 appearances throughout four years.



The 35-year-old will step up and fill the shoes of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/suarez-reveals-key-barcelona-regret-and-it-involves-messi-too-20240114-WST-483411.html">Luis Suarez</a>. The Uruguayan international has teamed up with his ex-Barcelona teammates, Messi, Busquets, and Alba in Miami.



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Gremio replace Suarez with ex-Premier League winner

Diego Costa, a striker who had previously played for Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, will continue his career in Brazil with Gremio.

Gremio replace Suarez with ex-Premier League winner - World Soccer Talk

With the signing of Luis Suarez, Inter Miami will have a new look for the next season. On the other hand, David Beckham and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/the-year-in-review-the-top-soccer-stories-in-2023-20231219-WST-475178.html">Lionel Messi</a> have not finished yet; they want to lure other signings to Florida.



The newest acquisition by Inter Miami brings the number of former Barcelona teammates that Lionel Messi will reunite with at DRV PNK Stadium in the next season to three. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/suarez-joins-inter-miami-in-reunion-with-former-barca-stars-20231223-WST-479478.html">Luis Suarez</a> has joined Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, all of whom were star players for Barcelona.



The Uruguayan signed a one-year contract with the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-mls-on-us-tv-and-internet/">Major League Soccer</a> club. The club has the option to extend the agreement for a second year.



Messi and Suarez have not played together again for Inter Miami for almost four years. Within that time frame, the latter has represented three different clubs in three different nations.



The Argentine departed Barcelona for PSG in the summer of 2020, but the veteran had already gone a year before. He became an integral part of Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid and flourished there.



Joining Tata Martino’s squad, Suarez will hopefully help them score more goals. But both Messi and Beckham are said to be aware that they need further help. Thus, they are reportedly specifically seeking help in the defensive department.



<h2>Messi and Tata Martino call Marcos Rojo</h2>



Now, a fellow Argentine has been extended an invitation to join Lionel Messi at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/inter-miami-tv-schedule/">Inter Miami</a>. Even though he wasn’t a member of Barcelona, Lionel Messi is keeping a sharp eye out for potential acquisitions for his side.



Since signing with Inter Miami in the US last year, Messi has been an integral element of the club’s transfer recruiting effort. The World Cup champion has enlisted the help of former teammates like Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets since his arrival.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231228_WST_480127_Rojo-Messi-1200x675_f65d78b6.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-480162" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Rojo-Messi-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Rojo-Messi-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Rojo-Messi-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Rojo-Messi.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



Another possible addition for Inter Miami is Marcos Rojo, a former Manchester United center defender and a longstanding teammate of Lionel Messi’s from Argentina.



Tata Martino and Messi have both called Rojo to see whether he would join Inter Miami. This is according to what Argentine radio host Hernan Castillo said on <a href="https://en.as.com/soccer/lionel-messi-used-to-convince-argentina-teammate-marcos-rojo-to-sign-for-inter-miami-n/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Continental 590</a>.



Even if he is now a member of the Argentine powerhouse Boca Juniors, Rojo may want to make one more major transfer in his career. Especially at the age of 33. Rojo is drawing interest from both the MLS team and Brazilian outfit Pameiras, according to Castillo. 



<h2>How can Marcos Rojo help Inter Miami?</h2>



He is no longer up for consideration with the Argentina national team. Still, the Boca Juniors defender has played 61 times for his nation, often partnering with Lionel Messi. He represented his country in two World Cups, the first of which was a major selling point for United when they signed him in 2014.



After seeing more action as a left defender, Rojo is now more often used in the middle of defense. After allowing 54 goals in 34 league matches last season, Miami is looking to add some seasoned backup there.



However, Rojo’s reputation for becoming angry has grown during his time at United. A year ago, he kicked Nicolas De La Cruz in the head. According to reports, he once tossed a fire extinguisher into a tunnel in the stadium.



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Messi effect: Star invites ex-Argentina teammate to Inter Miami

David Beckham and Lionel Messi have not finished adding new players at Inter Miami yet, as they want to lure Marcos Rojo to MLS.

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Messi effect: Star invites ex-Argentina teammate to Inter Miami