Diego Costa says he has fully recovered from the nagging hamstring injury that dogged him in the final weeks of the season and was ready to seize his chance for Spain in his native Brazil.

Costa, who scored 36 goals in all competitions for the Spanish champions Atlético Madrid, said: “I’m very motivated, I think I’m 100% and ready. I can’t wait for the competition to start.”

So desperate has Costa been to shake off his injury he travelled to Serbia in May to visit a doctor who specialises in treating athletes with horse placenta. The placenta is apparently made into a gel which is then massaged into the damaged area although it was not enough to see him through the Champions League final.

Atlético were left to rue their gamble in picking him after the striker lasted a mere nine minutes before limping off in the defeat by Real Madrid.

The injury did not deter Chelsea from making their anticipated move for the player with the club keen to tie up a £32m deal before Spain take on Holland on Friday in a repeat of the 2010 World Cup final.