Diego Costa’s final goodbye

The Spaniard says farewell as he completes his return to Madrid.

Diego Costa’s Chelsea career has been turbulent to say the very least; he’s enjoyed considerable success terrorising opponents with his brute strength and ruthlessness in front of goal. He’s also found times in which he was enduring goal droughts and struggling to rediscover his best form. The latter was less frequent than the former, and that is a credit to Diego.

He also enjoyed the love of the Blue faithful, with echoes of ‘Diego, Diego, Diego’ erupting around all four stands of Stamford Bridge. However, he’s also experienced disapproval such as his China debacle that threatened to derail our pursuit of the title.

Before that incident, Costa was by far the best striker in the league. However, he took some time to re-attain the heights that he achieved in the first part of the season.

The 28-year-old has taken to Instagram to express his goodbye to Chelsea as he returns to Atletico. You have been warned; it is rather emotional.

Há ciclos que se abrem e ciclos que se fecham. O meu ciclo no Chelsea iniciou-se há três anos, três anos marcantes em todos os aspetos, e que jamais esquecerei. Dois títulos de campeão, uma Supertaça Inglesa, 120 jogos, 59 golos e 24 assistências depois este ciclo encerra. Não da forma que desejava (longe disso), mas da forma possível. Na memória e no coração ficarão para sempre os maravilhosos adeptos de um grande clube e todos os companheiros com quem partilhei o balneário, bem como todo o staff logístico, administrativo e clínico. Levo-os comigo com a certeza de que sempre irei estar ao seu lado da mesma forma que, acredito, eles entenderão a razão pela qual este meu ciclo teve de chegar agora ao fim. Porque não podia perder a crença em mim. Obrigada por tudo Chelsea. — Some cycles begin while others end. My cycle at Chelsea began three years ago – three remarkable years in all aspects – and I will never forget it. Two championship titles, a Community Shield, 120 matches, 59 goals and 24 assists later this cycle has ended. Not the way I would have wanted – far from it – but the best way possible. The wonderful fans of such equally admirable club and all team mates, as well as all clinical, administrative and logistics staff will remain forever in my mind and in my heart. Will bring them with me with the certainty that I will always be by their side as well, and I’m sure they will understand the reason why this cycle of mine has now ended – because I could not lose faith in myself. Thank you Chelsea for everything!

A post shared by Diego Costa (@diego.costa) on Sep 26, 2017 at 2:15pm PDT

It didn’t have to end this way, Diego!