Former Brazil World Cup winner Pele has admitted that he was "surprised" to learn that Diego Costa had chosen to play his international football for Spain.

Costa was born in Brazil and twice played in friendlies for the country of his birth, but switched his allegiance to Spain after gaining citizenship towards the end of 2013.

"I'm surprised to the extent that before nobody wanted to stop playing for Brazil. But times have changed," Pele told AS.

"First, you have to respect his decision. He must be where he feels better and it is in Spain.

"It was possible to do that because he has dual citizenship and now I can only wish that Brazil is not unlucky."

The 25-year-old, who is currently with the Spain squad ahead of the World Cup, is widely expected to join Chelsea from Atletico Madrid this summer.