Mariano Diaz welcomes pressure of No.7 shirt
Mariano Diaz has returned to Real Madrid and was given the number 7 to dawn on the back of his jersey, a big statement right? Here’s what he had to say during an interview touching on the topic.
One of Real Madrid’s greatest players ever Cristiano Ronaldo made his departure during this summer transfer window. While he took all his belongings with him to Italy, there is one thing he had to leave behind, his number. The number 7 was one of a few vacant numbers at Real Marid due to the absence of the Portuguese star.
Raul and Juanito are amongst several club legends that dawned the number, therefore, giving it a great importance in the culture of Real Madrid. Many speculated who would get the number, while others thought that this would mean a major signing would happen to fill more than just Ronaldo’s boots – or at least attempt too.
Julen Lopetegui didn’t have many requests during the transfer window but one he did make was for another striker. As a result, Florentino Perez elected to bring a young striker into the locker room of Real.
The half Dominican, half Spaniard has rejoined Real Madrid after a one-year absence. Mariano Diaz spent a season with Olympique Lyon in Ligue 1. Rumours started up in June that he could be coming back to Madrid and it actually ended up happening.
As is the case of being a player at Real Madrid the expectations of the striker are quite high. In an interview, the forward got the opportunity to share his thoughts on returning to Real.
One thing he did make very clear was that too much is being made of him wearing the number 7 jersey. Turns out Real asked gave Mariano the option saying “It was free, all Real Madrid fans know it, and they tell me what number I wanted to wear. I asked what numbers are free. And I said: ‘I like the No. 7.'”
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Of course, there is a lot of pressure from fans and some felt that Marco Asensio would be better suited for the number. The goalscorer who will get the chance to lead the line doesn’t care though. “Others have told me that I have been brave and others that I should not have taken it. I’m not thinking about it, just training every day to the maximum to be able to enjoy minutes.”
The confidence just didn’t end there though, and it really is great to see that he can hold his head high no matter what. “I think it is the least import thing,” Mariano said. He continued on to say that, “Yes, but it was free, it’s a number that I like and it’s a personal challenge.”
Mariano finished single season at Lyon with 18 goals and 5 assists in 34 games. A great feat for a player that didn’t have plenty of first team minutes prior to heading to Ligue 1. What will be interesting though is to see when Julen Lopetegui will give Diaz his start. Real Madrid have several intense games coming up this September, making the start date even more ominous.