Mariano: Real Madrid are defending champions and the favourites against PSG Real Madrid Forward admits he'd like to return to the club

Real Madrid have lacked the goals that Mariano Diaz has scored for Lyon in Ligue 1 this season as the French side look to close the gap between themselves and Paris Saint-Germain, however the Dominican feels as though Los Blancos are the favourites to beat the Parisians in their Champions League tie.

Mariano was part of a summer exodus at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu and yet, given his quick adaptation to life in France, it's clear that he could have been a help to Zinedine Zidane this term.

With the 24-year-old in fine form, he admitted in an exclusive interview with MARCA that he would ideally like to return to Real Madrid in the future.

You had more than 20 offers last summer, why did you pick Lyon?

"Lyon had just seen [Alexandre] Lacazette leave and Zidane recommended them as a good option, I think it was the right time to have come to a great club, I am very happy with my decision."

What did Zidane say?

"He told me that I would be a key player and they were a good team to develop my game."

Lyon President Aulas says that you are the ideal player and that he was grateful for Karim Benzema's recommendation, do you know what they discussed?

"I don't know what he said, but from what the president said, he gave me a good reference."

Lacazette scored 28 goals last season, were you not afraid of following such a season?

"It's clear that it would be difficult because he played a great role, scoring so many goals, but that's a challenge for me."

You scored 27 goals with Castilla in 2015/16 but you hardly played a leading role with the club last season, was it not a major change to join Lyon with a lack of senior experience?

"No, it's what I wanted, to come here and feel like a first-team player. I try to give the maximum effort possible."

How is your French?

"It's difficult, but I'm learning little by little."

How is your life in France?

"Everyone has made me feel so welcome; it's very homely like Madrid."

You've enjoyed the best goal-scoring start to a season at Lyon since 1954, have you surprised yourself breaking such records already?

"You never expect to break records so soon in a different country, but it's something I have fought for, I hope to continue in this way."

Do you have a goal target between now and the end of the season?

"No I never set a number, it's better for me to just try and improve every single day."

What has caught your attention in the French league?

"It's a very physical league, more so than Spain, it's more direct football but there is a lot of competition."

Has being accused of diving against Toulouse bothered you?

"I'm not an diver. It hasn't bothered me at all, there is clear contact and then I went to ground."

Nabil Fekir has said you two have connected very well, how is your forward partner?

"He's a magnificent player, with a great left foot; he's showing he can make goals too."

Would it not have been more logical for you to leave Real Madrid last season and then stay this year?

"At the time there was a decision to be made between myself and the club, we decided that the best thing was for me to stay and then leave this summer."

Have you not thought you would have had more opportunities this season?

"At the time I left, [Alvaro] Morata was still there and [Borja] Mayoral had returned, so there were still three forwards."

What does Real Madrid mean to you?

"It's the team I've grown up with, the one which has taught me all my values and they are the best team in the world."

Were you surprised that there wasn't a repurchase option in your contract?

"It is something that was decided between clubs. I am happy where I am."

What does Mariano have that Harry Kane or Mauro Icardi doesn't have?

"Many things [smiles], I'm an academy player, for example."

Who do you see as the favourite for PSG-Real Madrid?

"Madrid are the favourites as they are the defending champions."

Should Benzema contribute more goals playing No. 9 at Real Madrid?

"Benzema has other qualities, he links with others very well and he has a good eye for goal, he simply isn't having good luck at this moment."

Benzema is injured now, if Florentino Perez calls saying he has agreed a deal with Lyon for your return, what would you say?

"It's something that doesn't depend on me, but why not? One day it might be great to return to Real Madrid but for the moment I'm focused on Lyon, I'm very happy here."