Diego Costa launches foul-mouthed rant against former club Atletico Madrid

'Atletico Madrid is not at a level to challenge in Europe'

Diego Costa has launched a surprising rant against his former side Atletico Madrid, claiming that the club's training facilities are 's***' and the academy is 'dead'. The Spanish international - who is a free agent after terminating his contract with Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro in January - enjoyed two successful spells with the Spanish outfit. He won the LaLiga title and reached the Champions League final under Diego Simeone during his first stint from 2010 to 2014, before leaving the club to sign for Chelsea. Costa re-signed for Atletico in 2017, however, he suffered from a number of injuries in his second spell in the Spanish capital. Despite this, he was part of the squad that won the Europa League crown in 2018. The 33-year-old cancelled his contract in December 2020 after asking to leave the Wanda Metropolitano six months early, citing personal reasons for his decision.

Costa slams Atletico in astonishing rant

Now, less than two years after leaving the club, the free agent took aim at his former side in a foul-mouthed rant.

Speaking on Canal Pilhado on YouTube, he said: "Atletico Madrid is not at a level to challenge in Europe.

"It’s a lie. Mineiro, in terms of structure, quality that it gives to the player, the food, is better.

"At Atlético they don't have. European level? No, I'm not going to lie to you. The training locker room was s*** and the academy is also dead."

Costa scored 83 goals in 216 appearances for Atletico, also registering 36 assists.

Searching for a new club

Costa is still searching for a new club after leaving Mineiro earlier this year, with sides from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Brazil and the United States thought to be interested in signing the striker. It was also reported that Championship side Birmingham City were keen to recruit the frontman, who won two Premier League titles during his time with Chelsea. Related links:

• Diego Costa could be set for move to Birmingham City
• Diego Costa drives round the streets of Brazil in a tractor
• WATCH: VAR fails to reverse penalty after apparent Diego Costa dive