Atlético Madrid midfielder’s comeback from brain cancer and mother’s paralysis
By
The Associated Press
August 20, 2017 – Madrid, Spain – Diego Costa will be back with Atlético Madrid this season, his mother, Nuria, said Sunday, as the player prepares for a comeback from cancer and his mother’s crippling paralysis. Nuria Costa, who was paralysed for about a year and is now back to nearly 90 percent of her ability, spoke to Atlético’s sports daily Marca. She made the announcement a day before Costa returns in the Copa del Rey final between the holders and the Spanish under-21 champions. “Today Diego is going to be back,” Costa said. “He’s going to be back better than before. He’s going to be back the best he’s ever been.” It was a dramatic recovery from multiple brain operations to stem an uncontrolled bleeding in the month before he became the Atlético Madrid captain last July. Costa has scored 23 goals for the club in 14 La Liga games since his return to the starting line-up. But he has struggled for form in the second division since breaking into the starting XI as the first-choice right-back. “It’s a positive thing that he’s back,” Atlético Madrid player-manager Jorge Molina said. “We always say we will have to wait on him, but he’s been great.” The 35-year-old Costa joined Atlético in 2008 and has played for the Spanish national team in recent years.
By
The Associated Press
August 19, 2017 – Madrid, Spain – Diego Costa made his comeback on Friday in the fifth round of the UEFA Champions League, scoring twice before the game was stopped in the first half. The Atlético Madrid captain scored before half-time and twice in the second half and completed the comeback at the Camp Nou against Ajax with a goal in the 90th minute. He has scored 26 times in all competitions and has been a constant for the club in the past few seasons. “I think I have shown throughout the week how well I can play, but I have to do it,” he said after the final whistle. “I have been back for this game and I am just going to have to work hard. I’m very happy. I’m happy because I made history.” Atlético had trailed after each half