Real Madrid have a long list of talented forwards in their squad, but it seems like not enough ink has been used to praise Brahim Diaz.
Rodrygo stole the show in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Osasuna two weeks ago, as he scored the second-fastest debut goal in Los Blancos history behind only legendary No. 9 Ronaldo. The winger’s goal will go down as one of the most impressive of the 2019-2020 La Liga campaign, both for the cool finish and the devastating first touch that started it.
But while Rodrygo and Vinicius were in the spotlight with their wondergoals in that win over a previously undefeated team, another young forward in Brahim Diaz has found it difficult to make an impact this season.
Diaz has only recently recovered from a muscular injury that plagued him early in the season. Even at full strength, Diaz has found it difficult to break into the Real Madrid lineup, and it will be difficult for him to crack the rotation. Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard are established veterans, Rodrygo and Vinicius are the organization’s top prospects in attack, and Lucas Vazquez remains a favorite of Zinedine Zidane’s.
That’s why it comes as no surprise to see Sergio Santos of AS report that Real have been trying to tempt Diaz to complete a loan deal. Dani Ceballos, Martin Odegaard, Achraf Hakimi Andriy Lunin, Sergio Reguilon, and Takefusa Kubo are among the notable names out on loan for Los Blancos this season. Hakimi, Ceballos, and Odegaard are playing especially impressive football.
But Diaz has been unwilling to move. The suggestion of a loan deal was offered to Diaz this summer, yet, just as he was at Manchester City, the Spanish international was unwilling to play elsewhere.
Real Madrid have found success with multiple years of loan spells for young players. Hakimi looks ready to be a two-sided attacking fullback who can profoundly impact the game as a goal-scorer and chance-creator, while Odegaard has literally been the best player in La Liga in the first year of his loan at Sociedad…which followed a successful loan spell at Vitesse.
Diaz could find similar success as a starting forward for a mid-table side in one of Europe’s top five leagues. It wasn’t too long ago that Diaz was rated as one of the top prospects in all of world football, and he remains a top prospect at Real as a 20-year-old.
Despite his elite cameo appearance against Osasuna and a dazzling encore at Castilla, Rodrygo has found it difficult to obtain playing time. The same can be said for Vinicius, who already burst onto the scene as a teenager as an X-Factor in Real’s attack during the treacherous 2018-2010 campaign.
So, how, then can Brahim Diaz break into the lineup if Vinicius has already found it hard to obtain playing time behind veteran starters Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard, who want to start every single game of significance?
Diaz’s confidence is unsurprising, and it’s wonderful that he wants to fight for an opportunity at Real. But it’s an opportunity that probably isn’t going to be there for him to seize. On loan, Diaz would have a chance to make a name for himself as an organization’s top star before returning to Real on loan with more leverage. Ceballos is a great example of a slightly older player who has proven to Real that they should have played him, and now he has tremendous global value; teams all over Europe have witnessed his class.
That won’t be everyone’s route, and Diaz is in a different situation as a young forward with less “brand” appeal than Ceballos. Again, it is understandable for him to not want to leave the club. At the same time, it may be his only real option to establish himself, because Real’s forward situation may only get more crowded next year.
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