@FootynewsDiego Costa admits the early pull wasn't toward the pitch but toward the cash needed for his own things. He recalls moving to São Paulo at age 14, a time when his brother was already working and funding his leisure while Diego felt deep embarrassment over his lack of funds. That financial gap meant he sometimes couldn't even invite a girl out to eat because he had no money to cover the bill. To fix this, he started selling fake brand merchandise at the border with Paraguay just to get some income flowing in. His uncle eventually forced him into a trial with the youth squads of Barcelona Esportivo Capela in São Paulo. Once Diego made it through that trial, his uncle stepped in with a clear deal: dedicate himself fully to football, and the uncle would provide the money he needed. Then came the moment a scout representing Jorge Mendes arrived and signed him up instantly after watching a single match. The timing was chaotic because Diego was under a four-month suspension for slapping an opponent and striking a referee during a previous game. When the day of the match with the scout present finally arrived, his coach admitted uncertainty, stating, I do not know if it is a mistake but they have managed to get you to play today. Despite the official ban, Diego played anyway, later speculating whether the whole situation was a trick or simply divine intervention. After the final whistle blew, he met with the representative from Jorge Mendes, and those conversations led directly to a contract offer to join Sporting Clube de Braga. #DiegoCosta #JorgeMendes

@FootynewsDiego Costa admits the early pull wasn't toward the pitch but toward the cash needed for his own things. He recalls moving to São Paulo at age 14, a time when his brother was already working and funding his leisure while Diego felt deep embarrassment over his lack of funds. That financial gap meant he sometimes couldn't even invite a girl out to eat because he had no money to cover the bill. To fix this, he started selling fake brand merchandise at the border with Paraguay just to get some income flowing in. His uncle eventually forced him into a trial with the youth squads of Barcelona Esportivo Capela in São Paulo. Once Diego made it through that trial, his uncle stepped in with a clear deal: dedicate himself fully to football, and the uncle would provide the money he needed. Then came the moment a scout representing Jorge Mendes arrived and signed him up instantly after watching a single match. The timing was chaotic because Diego was under a four-month suspension for slapping an opponent and striking a referee during a previous game. When the day of the match with the scout present finally arrived, his coach admitted uncertainty, stating, I do not know if it is a mistake but they have managed to get you to play today. Despite the official ban, Diego played anyway, later speculating whether the whole situation was a trick or simply divine intervention. After the final whistle blew, he met with the representative from Jorge Mendes, and those conversations led directly to a contract offer to join Sporting Clube de Braga. #DiegoCosta #JorgeMendes