Diego Costa has revealed the ingredients he would take from some of football’s biggest names to create his “ultimate striker”, with the former Chelsea forward also insisting he is the game’s “mentality king”.
In a video feature, Costa was asked to build the perfect No.9 by selecting standout traits from elite players across the modern era. He did not hesitate when it came to choosing qualities from Lionel Messi and Harry Kane, picking attributes from both stars as part of his ideal forward.
Costa’s selections leaned heavily on the details that separate good strikers from great ones, mixing technical quality with the instincts needed inside the box. He pointed to Messi for one of the key elements he believes every top attacker needs, while Kane was chosen for another crucial part of the striker’s toolkit.
The ex-Spain international, who won two Premier League titles during his time at Stamford Bridge, also made his own position clear when the conversation turned to personality and toughness. Costa claimed: “I’m the mentality king.”
It was a typically confident statement from a forward known for his edge, intensity and willingness to battle defenders, traits that defined his peak years in England and helped Chelsea set the tone in big matches.
By combining elements from Messi, Kane and other leading names, Costa’s “ultimate striker” reflects what he values most in the role: a blend of match-winning ability and the mindset to thrive under pressure.
