A short clip from The Obi One Podcast has gone viral for all the right reasons, with Diego Costa once again reminding football fans why he remains one of the Premier League’s most unapologetic characters.
In the 60-second segment which was shared on the official X account, hosts John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy challenge the former Chelsea striker to stay quiet until he hears the name of a forward better than himself.
It quickly turns into a moment of pure Costa bravado, echoing the same edge that defined his Chelsea years, including his view about the tense period surrounding his eventual fallout at Stamford Bridge, as previously reported by SoftFootball.
Costa’s confidence is rooted in numbers and silverware. Between 2014 and 2017, he scored 58 Premier League goals for Chelsea and played a decisive role in the club’s 2014–15 title win, even sharing that squad with club legend Didier Drogba. That context matters when names start flying.
When Jermaine Defoe is mentioned early, Costa’s reaction sparks laughter, especially given Defoe’s respected status in English football and his recent praise for Sunderland’s resurgence, as reported by SoftFootball.
The challenge itself is simple but revealing. Mikel asks Costa to hold his tongue until a genuinely superior striker is named. Costa barely lasts seconds. As the list grows, it becomes clear he is judging careers, impact, and trophies rather than popularity or longevity.
John Obi Mikel begins:
So you keep quiet until you hear a striker that is better than you.
He starts with Jermaine Defoe. Costa fires back instantly.
He said:
Who is Defoe?
Chris McHardy steps in with context:
Little guy. Played for Tottenham.
Names like Peter Crouch, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Olivier Giroud, and Andy Cole come and go without shaking his stance. Costa finally concedes halfway, with Romelu Lukaku being mentioned.
He said:
A draw.
Mikel agrees:
A draw.
Only when generational icons are named does Costa fully relent. For Wayne Rooney, his answer is clear.
Watch the video below:
He said:
Yes.
And when Mikel finishes with Didier Drogba, Costa responds emphatically:
Yes, yes, yes.
The clip struck a chord because it felt authentic. No script, no filters, just Diego Costa being Diego Costa, unapologetically confident and still measuring himself against the very best.
