He inherited Cristiano Ronaldo’s No.7 at Real Madrid, won the Champions League twice and now is clubless at 31
When Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid, he left behind a massive void. Yet, players like Karim Benzema, Vinícius Jr., Luka Modric, and Federico Valverde stepped up to keep the team on its winning path.
However, one player was given the ultimate responsibility of wearing the iconic Ronaldo’s No. 7 jersey. The expectations were sky-high, but he fell far short of delivering. Instead, his time at the club was marked as a disappointment, leaving Real Madrid after just two seasons. Today, he finds himself without a team.
The player in question is Mariano Díaz, who, at 31 years old, has been without a club since leaving Sevilla in July 2024. Mariano hasn’t played a competitive match since featuring for Sevilla in a La Liga game against Barcelona in May 2024.
In that match, Mariano managed only 12 minutes on the pitch and had played just five matches as a substitute since November 2023, as injuries repeatedly sidelined him and hindered his chances of contributing to the team.
A fresh start with his national team
From wearing Real Madrid’s No. 7 jersey to being clubless for 10 months, Mariano’s career trajectory has been stark. Yet, the forward now has an opportunity to rewrite his story, thanks to the Dominican Republic national team.
Mariano has been called up for the March FIFA international window, where the Dominican Republic will play two friendlies against Puerto Rico. The first match will be in Bayamón on March 21, followed by a home game in Santiago de los Caballeros on March 25.
The Dominican squad will feature Mariano, who, despite being born in Barcelona, first represented the Caribbean nation in 2013—scoring a goal in his debut. However, he hasn’t been a regular fixture for the team, with only one other appearance in 2017.
The career of Mariano Díaz
Mariano first made waves in Real Madrid’s youth system, where his standout performances earned him a spot in the first team. After just one season, however, he was sold to French club Olympique Lyon.
It was in France where Mariano truly shined. He played 45 matches, scoring 28 goals, and became a key player in Lyon’s return to Champions League competition.
Following his stellar season, Real Madrid brought him back, but his second stint in Spain was far from successful. Over 84 appearances, Mariano scored just 12 goals while injuries continuously disrupted his form. During his time at Real Madrid, Díaz was part of the squad that won the UEFA Champions League in 2017 and 2022. Eventually, he was sold to Sevilla.
In Sevilla, injuries once again plagued his time. He took six months to make his debut, finishing the season with 13 appearances (two as a starter), 320 total minutes, and zero goals. Now, Diaz hopes his international call-up can reignite his career and bring him back into the professional spotlight.
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