Tino Costa explains Valencia exit and his view of success in football | OneFootball

Tino Costa has laid bare why he left Valencia for Spartak Moscow, calling it a professional, purely economic decision, while offering a broader reflection on what success means.

"I split my career into stages. First the graft, then the fame with Valencia, the Champions League, LaLiga and Argentina. Lastly, to make money. I knew I would lose Argentina, but financially I was going to gain a lot."

The remarks were made on the De Todo Un Poco Podcast hosted by Emilio Garrigues.

Costa joined Valencia in July 2010 after a six million euro move from Montpellier. A physical midfielder with range and a fierce strike, he is still remembered for a Champions League screamer against Bursaspor.

After three seasons at Mestalla, Spartak Moscow signed him for around seven million on a four-year deal, with Miroslav Djukic not favouring him. He departed having played 115 matches, scoring 16 and assisting 19.

"It was impossible to turn down. I am not afraid or ashamed to say it, because if I live well today it is thanks, in part, to the contract I signed in Russia."

"Money, cars, women and two hours of training a day. Winning, what is winning? I have friends who tell me I did not win anything. I speak three languages, I live in Europe, I have my home, I do not owe anyone, my parents live well, my brothers live well. Are you going to tell me I did not win anything?"

Source: Superdeporte