Douglas Costa is one of the players people are quick to point to whenever players who have not fulfilled their potentials are being counted. The Brazilian winger is always described as a player who has all it takes to play at the highest level but injuries have not given him that chance.
On 14 September, he will turn 30-year-old and he has not done much with his enormous dribbling skills, speed and crossing ability which he is known for by those who have been following his career.
Costa enjoyed the best of his football career when he was playing in Ukraine premier league between 2010-2015. He spent his illustrious 5 years in the league playing for Shakhtar Donetsk. While at the club, he won everything that was there to win in the league. He made 141 appearances and scored 29 goals.
His abilities became too much for the Ukrainian league, hence, German Bundesliga giants, Bayern Munich came and snatched him away for €30 million in 2015. He won two league titles with the club before he was loaned to Italian giants Juventus in 2017 and later made his stay at the club permanent in 2018.
Though his injuries woes started in Bayern Munich, it became prominent in Juventus. Costa said the number of scans he has had is more than the games he has played.
“There are times when I think: ‘Can I still play?” he told The Players’ Tribune. “[That’s] because I go out on the pitch and get injured again. Then, when I watch it on TV, I remember this is my passion and that I can still play at a high level.
“This is what keeps me alive, I know football comes easy to me. It has nothing to do with money or being famous.
“The point is to do what you enjoy and have fun doing it. That’s my objective. I joke with Alex Sandro that I’ve had more scans than I’ve played games.”
All these experiences have forced the Brazilian star to seek mental help because the series of injuries are becoming detrimental to him as a footballer.
Now that Juventus is getting set to return to competitive football as the league has voted to restart the season on June 13, a player like Costa would want to be at his best in order to keep competing with the best in the game.
“People say, ‘Douglas has the potential to be one of the best in the world, but injuries are holding him back’. That annoys me,” Costa said.
“I have the potential to be a top player, but for reasons out of my control, I can’t be.
“Every time I get injured, I ask myself: ‘What did I do wrong?’ I wonder why I can’t play consistently. It’s something that hurts me.
“Therefore, I asked for help. I don’t know if you’ve heard of a mental coach. They’re not a psychologist, but they show you how childhood facts can still affect you.”
