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Scolari: I would have picked Diego Costa

Atletico Madrid striker Costa, who announced he would represent Spain at international level in October, previously played in two friendlies under the Brazil flag in March 2013.

The 25-year-old, who was born in Brazil, was slammed by Scolari after his announcement, with the Brazil boss claiming he was 'turning his back on a dream of millions'.

"I was going to summon him for the World Cup," Scolari said, as reported by AS.

"Was I wrong? I don't know. He would be at the World Cup with Brazil. I talked to him twice about it.

"The problem is there are other interests behind it. With Diego Costa becoming a naturalised Spaniard, another space (at Atletico) opened up in Europe.

"There's a whole set of interests. Diego Costa would be with us. He plays as a seven, a nine, or even as an 11. People to try to run him over and go crashing. He's strong as a bull."