7 August 2007, by Lorna Danion

Costinha vows to “prove my value at Atletico Madrid”

But midfielder does not rule out return to Portugal

Costinha says his current aim is to stay and fight for his place at Spanish side Atletico Madrid. Meanwhile, the Portuguese international has backed Sporting to become champions in his homeland.

The former Porto man’s current situation appears unstable, with rumours in the Spanish press suggesting that the club would like to dispense with the 32-year-old services before the end of the transfer deadline.

“It’s complicated,” said Costinha when asked by Record about his future. “I want to play more than I did last season. I feel I’m able to, but I must respect the manager’s opinion. If by the start of the season things remain like this, we will try to find a solution.

“What I want is to play here. If I continue to be an option, which was the plan when I signed, then good. But if I’m not an option, then I will look to leave. My wish is to stay and prove my value, to help the club reach the levels of ten years ago.”

If Costinha does leave Spain, his most likely destination is reported to be a return to Portugal, and the experienced midfielder says the right offer would tempt him to come home.

“It depends on the project, it depends on the offer and on the club. It is important that the project is ambitious, any of the big three has ambitious projects.”

Simao praise

The Atletico squad has been strengthened this summer, in particular by the arrival of fellow Simao Sabrosa. Along with Ricardo Quaresma, Simao was a top target for the club during the summer. Costinha says the acquisition of Simao will strengthen the team and also added he would be happy to see the Porto man join the club.

“It’s very good for us that Simao signed. He is an excellent player, an excellent person. He is going to help us; he will give more attacking depth to the squad and help our problems with set-pieces. I am very pleased to have him with us.”

“Here at Atletico, we would like to have all the big players and Quaresma is, no doubt, a big player. But FC Porto are not crazy enough to let all their best players leave in the same season. You never know what will happen, but Quaresma would always be welcome.”

Finally, Costinha was asked for his views on the upcoming Portuguese league title race, and the Lisbon native has tipped his boyhood club Sporting to see off the challenge from Benfica and Porto to take the championship.

“I think it will be Sporting,” he said. “I am not going to lie or by hypocritical, I am a sportinguista and I would like them to win.”

“But Benfica have an excellent squad and Porto are always a difficult adversary because they not only have a very strong structure as a team, but also in terms of a directive plan.”