Costa felt discomfort in his neck last week in training and the club decided the injury required surgery.

“Diego Costa underwent surgery on his cervical disc herniation in Madrid on Thursday,” Atletico confirmed in a statement.

“According to the information provided by the club’s medical services, the operation has gone as planned.”

Costa is expected to be out for around three months, meaning he will miss Atletico’s La Liga game against Barcelona on December 1.

He is also unlikely to play in either of their last two Champions League group games against Juventus and Lokomotiv Moscow but could return in time for the round of 16 matches at the end of February.