DIEGO COSTA celebrated his goal today with a tribute to Atletico Madrid women’s player Virginia Torrecilla who had brain surgery in May.
The ex-Chelsea striker scored Atletico’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao this afternoon.
Dedicating his goal to Torrecilla, who had a brain tumour removed last month, Costa held her Atletico shirt aloft on the sidelines in a display of solidarity.
“I have no words… YOU ARE AMAZING!! Thank you with all my heart,” Torrecilla tweeted in response.
Teammate and England international Toni Duggan also retweeted her support.
Spanish international Torrecilla underwent a CAT scan in May after suffering from back pain and persistent headaches.
She was diagnosed with a benign tumour and underwent surgery in Pamplona.
The procedure was a success and the 26-year-old is now working her way back to fitness for Las Colchoneras.
Torrecilla has 63 caps for Spain, including four appearances at the 2019 World Cup, and previously played for Barcelona and Montpellier.
Costa’s goal was his first for Atletico since September, levelling the score two minutes after Iker Muniain’s opener for Bilbao.
After celebrating with his teammates, Costa ran over to the bench to collect Torrecilla’s No.14 shirt: raising it above his head in tribute.
