Atletico Madrid striker celebrated equality goal against Bilbao in tribute to club player Virgina Torcia, who has recovered from a head tumor removal surgery

• Diego Costa. Warmed the heart

  Photo: 

  Notwithstanding

Atletico Madrid's return to the Spanish league was no different from the last one played before the Corona virus came into our lives, nor the one before it. 1: 1 tonight (Sunday) against Athletic Bilbao was the third consecutive league draw for Diego Simeone's team, and fourth in the last five games.

If there was any hope that the tremendous win over Liverpool at Anfield would lift the Colchonros' sleepy season, the reunion last night at San Mams was a direct continuation of mediocrity that characterized her games up to this stage. Ten seasons to end the season, Atletico are still in sixth place, out of places leading to the Champions League, and later in the schedule expect meetings with Barcelona and Real Sociedad strong.

In the face of this unpleasant situation, and knowing that aided coach Horny Burgos would leave this summer, it was precisely Diego Costa who put everything in the right proportions. In his first league match since October, after eight tough months and after being replaced in the big win against Liverpool, the Spanish striker has chosen to celebrate his first goal since October 19 with a dedication to another man.

Unlike many in world football, it wasn't George Floyd or the United States black protest, but Virginia Torcia, Athletico's women's team player. "You're amazing ... thank you very much."

Less than a month ago, it was all of Spain that rushed to social networks to respond to the 25-year-old Torresia. The Atletico midfielder and who played last year with the Spanish national team at the World Cup in France successfully unveiled an emergency surgery last May to remove a cancerous tumor in her head. "I won the important game of my life," she wrote that day alongside her picture at the hospital, and the reactions were not late.

Alongside the congratulations of players from all league teams, the country's biggest sports stars have also failed to remain indifferent. Iker Cassias wrote: "Lots of encouragement and strength, you will pass it on!" And Pau Gasol added: "Your smile and words excited me, because they show a rare mental power. The whole world of sports is behind you."

Of course, there is a difference between supporting someone in words, and supporting them in actions. Therefore, Costa's gesture, which was broadcast to the whole world, was able to excite Torresia and Spain in an extraordinary way. Because of the act itself, of course, but also because of the man who performed it. Costa, after all, earned a bad, even selfish image of sweat, and last night he had every reason to be selfish after an eight-month break. Instead, he chose to bring to mind the battle of Torsier, where victory is more important than football - and he deserves the respect.