Dominicans aren’t known for their soccer skills, but Real Madrid Castilla’s Mariano Diaz is breaking stereotypes. Born in Barcelona to a Dominican mother of San Juan de la Maguana, Diaz has turned many heads after his season on the reserve team for Real Madrid. And just like Dominicans are a rarity in futbol – an unknown species in soccer if you will – where the 22-year-old will go from here is just as blurry.
Real Madrid knows they may have their next wunderkind in this plátano power. Spending much of the year with the reserve team in Castilla, he became the team’s top scorer with 25 goals. His performance led Real Madrid to bring him onto their Champions League roster, making Diaz the first player of Dominican descent to play for Real Madrid’s Champions League squad.
In December, he signed a first-team contract that begins next season, but it hasn’t stopped clubs from asking about him. Diario Madridista said clubs in La Liga like Las Palmas, Sporting Gijón, Deportiva de la Coruña, Celta de Vigo, and Alavés have shown interest in the striker due to Diaz’s uncertain future at the European powerhouse.
Even teams outside of La Liga are expressing interest in Diaz. English Premier League and Bundesliga clubs are keeping an eye on him too.
Below you can see why plátano power Mariano Diaz can be a major player for any club, especially since he has been groomed in the Real Madrid system.