Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Diego Costa does not exactly have the greatest reputation with opposing fans, but it does appear the Chelsea striker is a much nicer guy off the pitch than on it.

The 26-year-old has a pretty long rap sheet when it comes to unsavoury incidents on the field, but he deserves massive credit for setting up a school in his native Brazil.

Costa now represents Spain at the international level, but he has not forgotten where he grew up and has developed a school in his hometown of Lagarto.

He told Chelsea's official website:

I started with this project with the help of my agent, and the main goal is to open some doors for the kids that I didn’t have open for myself,’ he says. I wanted to help the kids stay away from the streets, stay away from drugs, and the academy can only bring new things to these kids. There is more to win than to lose. The school is not a big thing yet. I originally thought I had to give something back to my city, that’s why I created this. Lagarto is a small town so it will grow little by little. We’ve got great professionals working in there. The kids have food, good medication, a good quality of life, there is nothing missing. The coaches are always happy and open to help with anything. Some of the kids may not become professionals in the future but they will be better people. The main target is education rather than football. I want children to attend the school and not miss any days. I don’t have any lucrative aim, and I am happy to have this school.

Footballers sometimes get a tough time from the fans and media alike, and in Costa's case, it is often justified. But give credit where credit is due here.

[Chelsea FC]