\n<\/p>\n
Mariano Diaz, who donned the iconic number \u00a07\u00a0 jersey for \u00a0Real Madrid\u00a0, leaves behind a mixed legacy as he departs from the club. This number has been famously associated with legends like \u00a0Raymond Kopa\u00a0, \u00a0Emilio Butrague\u00f1o\u00a0, \u00a0Ra\u00fal\u00a0, \u00a0Cristiano Ronaldo\u00a0, and \u00a0Vinicius Junior\u00a0. Although his overall impact on the pitch might be considered modest\u2014having made \u00a084 appearances\u00a0 and scoring \u00a012 goals\u00a0 with \u00a03 assists\u00a0\u2014his time at Real Madrid is notable due to the numerous \u00a0trophies\u00a0 he collected.<\/p>\n
During his tenure, Mariano secured two \u00a0Champions League\u00a0 titles in \u00a02017\u00a0 and \u00a02022\u00a0, three \u00a0La Liga\u00a0 titles in \u00a02017\u00a0, \u00a02020\u00a0, and \u00a02022\u00a0, as well as various other accolades, including the \u00a02020 UEFA Supercup\u00a0, the \u00a02023 Club World Cup\u00a0, the \u00a0Spanish Supercup\u00a0 in both \u00a02020\u00a0 and \u00a02022\u00a0, and the \u00a0Spanish Cup\u00a0 in \u00a02023\u00a0. His trophy cabinet is a testament to the squad’s success during his time, even if he wasn\u2019t a key player on the field.<\/p>\n
Mariano’s career took a significant turn during the \u00a02017\/2018\u00a0 season while he played for \u00a0Olympique Lyonnais\u00a0. He had a remarkable season, netting \u00a021 goals\u00a0 and providing \u00a06 assists\u00a0 in \u00a048 matches\u00a0. His outstanding performances caught the eye of Real Madrid, which decided to activate its \u00a0buyback clause\u00a0 to bring him back for \u00a0\u20ac21.5 million\u00a0, just a year after his departure.<\/p>\n
However, his return to Real Madrid did not yield the expected success. Mariano struggled to regain a consistent place in the starting lineup, leading to limited appearances and goals in his second stint with the club. By \u00a0summer 2023\u00a0, he found himself joining \u00a0Sevilla FC\u00a0 but faced another challenging chapter, playing just \u00a013 matches\u00a0 without scoring and contributing a single assist. This lack of contribution ultimately led to his release from the club, leaving him \u00a0unemployed\u00a0 as of \u00a0July 1, 2024\u00a0.<\/p>\n
After a lengthy period without playing, Mariano found himself back in the national squad, scoring a goal in a friendly match against \u00a0Puerto Rico\u00a0 on \u00a0March 26\u00a0. Despite missing out on the \u00a0Gold Cup\u00a0, he sought to revitalize his career by training with \u00a0Deportivo Alav\u00e9s\u00a0 in the \u00a0Basque Country\u00a0. “The striker Mariano D\u00edaz Mej\u00eda, with a brilliant career in elite football, will train in Deportivo Alav\u00e9s and participate in the training of the first team during this initial phase of the pre-season<\/em>,\u201d the club announced on \u00a0July 14\u00a0.<\/p>\n This newfound opportunity has been promising for the \u00a032-year-old\u00a0 striker. His training with Alav\u00e9s appeared to go well, and he showcased his capabilities during the pre-season sessions. Coach \u00a0Eduardo Coudet\u00a0 expressed his satisfaction with Mariano’s performance, leading to discussions of a potential contract extension.<\/p>\n Reports from \u00a0Marca\u00a0 indicate that Mariano’s commitment to Alav\u00e9s is becoming increasingly solid. The club is expected to announce a \u00a0two-year contract\u00a0 for the player, which could pave the way for a more significant role in their campaign. This opportunity comes at a crucial time, especially after the departure of striker \u00a0Joaqu\u00edn Panichelli\u00a0 to \u00a0Strasbourg\u00a0 for \u00a0\u20ac16.5 million\u00a0, and a potential loan move for \u00a0Asier Villalibre\u00a0. Mariano Diaz now stands as a likely candidate for the center-forward role, competing against only \u00a0Toni Martinez\u00a0 for the primary striker position.<\/p>\n While Mariano Diaz’s journey through the football landscape has been anything but straightforward, he continues to demonstrate resilience and determination. With the support of Deportivo Alav\u00e9s, he aims to reinvent himself and add a new chapter to his football career.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n