Real Madrid sold 23-year-old striker Mariano Diaz to French team Club Lyon for €8 million. Mariano is an exciting youngster, but did not demonstrate what it takes to break into a lineup as packed with offensive talents as Real Madrid’s.
Real Madrid are starting off the transfer window as many expected they would, by getting rid of some of their unnecessary depth in the attacking end of the pitch. With the likes of Isco, James, and Marco Asensio struggling for minutes last season, it’s no wonder that Mariano Diaz is on his way out of the Bernabéu.
Mariano worked his way up through the ranks of the Real Madrid youth system, eventually securing a place in the first team squad this year.
Unfortunately, the Spanish-born Dominican national team player found scant minutes with Real Madrid last season. While Mariano was the first Dominican player on a Real Madrid Champions League squad, he unfortunately only managed to get five minutes of pitch-time during European competition, according to WhoScored. Zidane primarily trusted the youngster as a back-up to the backups, an option off the bench during Copa del Rey games and when Real Madrid were playing their star-studded B squad.
Nevertheless, Mariano still had a chance to make a real impact playing with the first team last season. Take, for example, his blistering hat-trick against Cultural Leonesa.
But it wasn’t just in the Copa del Rey that Mariano had a chance to shine.
Mariano managed to notch one goal and one assist in La Liga. His goal could not have come at a more opportune time.
It was back in December. In the 83rd minute, Real Madrid was down 1-2 to Deportivo de la Coruña. It looked like Zidane’s men were about to experience a serious bump in the road in their race for the La Liga title.
And then, out of nowhere, Mariano comes up with this little bit of magic.
Mariano personally had a hand in our league title this year. #GraciasMarino https://t.co/ouX4vnYxvI
— Ali (@NaboAli23) June 30, 2017
Real Madrid went on to win that match 3-2. Mariano’s goal equalized, and provided Real the momentum they needed to go on and win all three points. In a La Liga title race separated by three measly points, Mariano’s goal was one of many that may have made all the difference.
This is truly an embodiment of Real Madrid’s historic double-winning season: Zidane had at his disposal a squad full of young, hungry players who were unwilling to let their brief chance pass them by.
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It’s a shame that Mariano isn’t going to find his way at Madrid at this point in his career. The young striker is talented, and could continue to make an impact off the bench for Madrid for years to come.
But you can’t blame him for wanting more out of his career. With players like Isco, Asensio, Morata, and James all begging for more minutes ahead of him on the depth chart, it’s difficult to see a world where Mariano gets a substantial bump in his playing time. He’s entering into the early prime of his career, when it’s necessary for young players to get consistent first-team minutes if they want to truly fulfill their potential.
Olympique Lyonnais will provide Mariano with that opportunity. He joins Bertrand Traore as the second striker Lyon have signed this summer, prompting many to speculate that he will replace Alexandre Lacazette in their lineup.
We’ll miss you Mariano, but we wish you the best in your career. Hopefully Mariano gets the playing time he deserves. Who knows? Perhaps if he continues to grow and develop as a striker, we could see Mariano back in the Royal Whites some day.