Juventus striker Fernando Llorente has insisted that he holds no grudges against Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa.

It had been reported that Llorente was unhappy with Spain boss Vicente del Bosque's decision to select Costa, who was born in Brazil, in the La Roja squad for tonight's friendly with Italy.

However, the 29-year-old has praised the Atletico forward, who has scored 27 times for his club this season.

"I need to accept Del Bosque's decision. I would have liked to have been in the squad but Diego Costa is having an incredible season," Llorente told Cadena Cope.

Costa and Manchester City's Alvaro Negredo were the only two out-and-out strikers selected by Del Bosque.

Written by
Matt Law