Brazil and Juventus winger Douglas Costa has admitted he has had doubts over whether he should continue playing football given his injury issues.
The 29-year-old Selecao star has suffered with major fitness issues in his career, especially over the past few campaigns.
Costa, who has missed 17 matches in three separate spells on the sidelines already this season, has now revealed he has even considered retirement, but continues to play as football is the thing he loves the most.
"(That's) because I go out on the pitch and get injured again. Then, when I watch it on TV, I remember this is my passion and that I can still play at a high level.
"This is what keeps me alive, I know football comes easy to me. It has nothing to do with money or being famous.
"The point is to do what you enjoy and have fun doing it. That's my objective. I joke with Alex Sandro that I've had more scans than I've played games."
Costa has played just 18 times so far this season, contributing to seven goals along the way.
