Diego Costa showed he has lost none of his trademark aggression after clashing with Martin Skrtel during the Chelsea vs Liverpool Legends match at Stamford Bridge.
The former Blues striker, now 37, was involved in a heated exchange with his old Premier League rival after being tackled from behind during Saturday’s charity fixture.
The challenge from Skrtel left Costa on the ground, and the Spaniard responded by appearing to kick out with his studs, catching the ex-Liverpool defender on the upper leg.
Both players confronted each other before teammates stepped in to calm the situation. The Sky Sports team were quick to pick up on it: “Things looked to have settled, but Costa went for Skrtel again moments later. It’s clear there’s still tension between them.”
Diego Costa managed to get a yellow card in a charity match after the incident
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Minutes later, the pair clashed again following another challenge from Skrtel. Costa, still visibly angered, squared up to the Slovakian and was shown a yellow card.
The incident revived memories of their previous encounters during Costa’s time in England, including a controversial moment in 2015 when he appeared to stamp on Skrtel during Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat at Anfield.
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Supporters watching the legends match on television and social media said the altercation came as no surprise given Costa’s fiery reputation.
One fan said: “Diego Costa being aggressive in a Legends match is the most Diego Costa thing ever.”
Another added: “People don’t really change — he’s still the same player we remember.”
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Fans were quick to take to social media about the incident
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Costa’s former teammate Eden Hazard, who also featured in the charity fixture, weighed in at half-time. He said: “This guy is still the same, you know. We just saw it. He always brings that fire when he plays.”
Chelsea’s coach for the day, Roberto Di Matteo, defended Costa’s competitive edge and suggested it was part of what made him such an effective player.
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He said: “I love it. He’s a fantastic personality and you need fiery players in your team. In my day we had Dennis Wise who would rattle the opposition. I understand why managers loved to have him.”
Liverpool goalscorer Ryan Babel, who paid tribute to Diogo Jota with his celebration, took a different view and felt Costa had gone too far.
Despite the tense moments the tensions had simmered down by full time
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He said: “It’s a match for a good cause so in my opinion it was unnecessary. But as athletes you want to be competitive, and once you’re at it — especially in a game like Chelsea vs Liverpool — you want to win. With those two characters, it’s normal.”
Despite the heated moment, both teams shared smiles at full-time — though Costa’s actions served as a reminder that his fierce streak has never faded.