Costa keen to be France star
Midfielder has received papers for French citizenship
By Patrick Haond. Last Updated: September 3, 2011 10:38pm
Sky Bet
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Alberto Costa has reiterated his desire to play for France despite having been born in Argentina.
The set-piece specialist had started football life playing in his home country but then at the age of 17 made the decision of leaving the country for the island of Guadeloupe to play for Racing Club de Basse-Terre in the Guadeloupe Division d'Honneur.
The 26-year-old left Montpellier last season having amassed over 60 appearances for them in Ligue 1 and now plies his trade in Primera Liga for Spanish outfit Valencia.
Despite playing in a friendly against Nigeria for Argentina, the central midfielder received his papers for French citizenship on Friday.
"I came to France as a teenager, and that is where I experienced the most beautiful things in my life," he told French newspaper L'Equipe.
"I am very proud of that, and I feel as much (a) Frenchman as Argentinian. Now I can be called by both national teams. Today I would be proud to defend (the) colours of (the) French team shirt."
