Mariano talks Zidane, Benzema, failed Real Madrid stint, No. 7 shirt – ‘It was my decision’ | OneFootball

In a recent interview with Hugo Cerezo, former Real Madrid striker Mariano Diaz opened about his failed second stint at the club and how he was treated by Zinedine Zidane.

More importantly, Diaz talked about the pressure that came with donning the iconic number seven shirt at Real Madrid and whether or not it was his idea to take up that number.

Mariano Diaz on wearing the number seven shirt

After the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, Mariano Diaz was the first player to wear the iconic number seven shirt at Real Madrid.

When asked whether or not it was his decision to wear the iconic shirt, the striker said, “It was my decision. I set myself this challenge, trying to play with the number 7.

“But if you don’t play, it’s normal that a lot of people criticize you. This happened to Hazard, and to other players in other teams. t’s simply a matter of the player playing or not.”

Having formerly been a product of the Real Madrid youth academy, Diaz returned to the club in 2018 and was immediately given the number seven shirt.

However,the forward had a forgettable 2018/19 campaign, where he scored just three goals in 13 competitive appearances.

When asked whether or not wearing the number seven kit damaged his reputation, the forward replied,

“No, sometimes things happen the way they do. I arrived in Madrid and they gave me the number 7, the legendary number of Real Madrid, worn by the stars, after Cristiano Ronaldo left it.”

Mariano on Lopetegui’s sacking and Zinedine Zidane

A key reason behind Mariano Diaz’s downfall upon his return to Real Madrid was the early sacking of Julen Lopetegui.

However, Diaz refused to admit that Lopetegui’s early departure had any bearing on his fortunes, though he did praise the Spaniard.

“No, because the club also bet on me. In the end, both the club, which already knew me, and Lopetegui, who was the new coach, wanted me. I really like Julen as a coach. I’ve always said that. To be sacked at that moment, after that difficult Clásico at the Camp Nou, was sad,” he said.

Lopetegui was replaced by Zinedine Zidane, who knew him well from their time together at RM Castilla, but refused to give him any opportunities.

“Benzema was his main player, Madrid’s main player. Then there was a period when Jovic had opportunities,” he said.

“But there were also times, like the Clasico against Barcelona, ​​when I came on for him. He had his striker, who was always playing, and then I kept fighting for opportunities.”

Mariano Diaz had a difficult time living up to the expectations (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“In the end, coaches have their bets. Benzema was playing, he was performing brilliantly, in the end, that’s what happened,” he said about his the starting of his downfall.

When asked whether or not Zidane gave him opportunities, he said, “At Castilla, yes. I started the season with him, and then he was promoted to coach the first team.

“Then I was able to perform very well in the second half of the season, and I renewed my contract. After that, when I moved to the first team, I didn’t have many opportunities.”

He further revealed that it was decision to stay at Real Madrid even when the club roped in Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic the following summer.

“When the first season ended, I remember they signed Jovic and Hazard as well. It was an opportunity for me to leave. I had only been at Real Madrid for one year. I wanted to succeed at Madrid. I stayed in the team to fight for a place,” he revealed.

Mariano on rejoining Real Madrid and Sevilla interest

Despite all this, Mariano Diaz did admit he was happy to return to Real Madrid in the first place.

“I was very happy to return to Real Madrid, then the number 7 and all those days. Experiencing everything with the best team in the world, your whole family, and all the excitement that comes with it.

“Returning to the place where I grew up and played football, and then a few days later, during my debut in the Champions League, I had the opportunity to score a good goal. That was amazing,” he said.

Mariano Diaz struggled to get regular game-time under Zidane. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Bongarts/Getty Images)

The Dominican forward then revealed that Sevilla were the first team to show interest even when he was leaving Lyon, but Real Madrid had the right to first refusal.

“I had no doubts at that moment. The only thing I really felt sorry for was Sevilla. They were the first to show interest in me. I understand that due to market conditions, Madrid might not have been able to intervene until Sevilla’s offer came in. I really felt bad because they convinced me,” he said.

Elaborating on his desire to join Sevilla, the forward added, “I was very excited to sign for Sevilla. It’s the club I’ve always loved since I was little.

But at that moment Madrid appears. With the right of first refusal. Real Madrid, the team I grew up with, the best team in the world, who can say no?

“The general manager (Jose Angel), the coach (Lopetegui), and the president (Florentino Perez) call you and ask you to come home, so I returned with all the enthusiasm and tried to do my best for the team of my dreams,” he concluded.

Sevilla eventually joined Sevilla in the summer of 2023 but was released a year later. He is currently a free agent, having failed to find a club last summer or even in the January transfer window.