Mariano Diaz: This is going to be my year at Real Madrid Real Madrid Looked to the future in an interview

Summer is here and Mariano Diaz has returned to recharge the batteries in his native Catalan seaside town of Premia de Mar, which he left almost nine years ago to join Real Madrid.

He has no plans of leaving Los Blancos anytime soon, keen to succeed after returning from a one-year stint at Lyon last summer.

MARCA visited Mariano at his home, where he took us onto a mini football pitch at the back of his house and spoke about all things Real Madrid.

Have you played many games on this pitch?

"Occasionally with friends, but not often. Living in Madrid I don't have much choice."

You have decorated the place with a Real Madrid theme. Will that have to change after the summer?

"No, not anymore. This is my team."

You'll stay?

"Yes, until we win a lot of titles."

What percentage of certainty have you about your continuation?

"My plan is to continue here, with my team. I want to show what I came here to do."

Why have your reached the conclusion of not considering any other options?

"I fought hard to get to Real Madrid. I've worked really hard and I've always wanted this. Now I'm here so I'll do my best to play in the best team in the world."

Are you aware of the transfer market news?

"No, I'm not very aware of what's happening, but whoever comes will be welcomed."

When you see your name appear on the list of players do be sold, does it hurt you or do you care?

"It's been a difficult season for everyone and it's always the way. The press are always there and we have to accept that."

What conclusions have you drawn from this season? What lessons? On a personal and collective level.

"It's been tough because we haven't achieved our goals, but now we have to think about next year, which is the important one. We have to try to win as much as possible."

Are you self-critical? How have you failed this season?

"Nobody has been up to the task, but what's better than a new year to show that we can do better?"

How much do you want to start?

"I really want to start pre-season. I'm ready to put on my boots with a lot of enthusiasm."

A year ago you couldn't have imagined where you are now. All the more reason not to throw in the towel?

"I was in France having signed for Lyon on an adventure, but to return to Real Madrid was incredible. I'm super happy."

How do you keep going and never give up?

"I always think about fighting and that the basis of success is work and it's how you reach your goals."

What does it mean for you to be Real Madrid's No.7?

"For me it's a great pride. It's a shirt that great players have worn."

Could you come to feel weighed down by Cristiano Ronaldo's heritage?

"No, no. I don't feel that. It gives me strength to keep fighting like they've all done before, like Juanito and Cristiano and everyone else."

Things couldn't have been better at the start of the season. You scored a great goal against Roma...

"I always think that one match doesn't do anything. You have to work every day. After that game, everything went a way that nobody expected."

Then came the drought that condemned Julen Lopetegui.

"It was difficult because we didn't get results, but we have to think about next season now."

You were injured after the Clasico and couldn't start under Santiago Solari...

"I pushed through discomfort in that game because I wanted to help the team. It couldn't be done and I spent time out, but thankfully I'm fine."

Then you had a back problem. Can you explain exactly what happened to you and how you dealt with it?

"Yes, I had an injury that didn't let me play at the beginning of 2019. It was difficult. I turned over my mattress and had to bring the one I had in Lyon to Madrid to sleep in it to see if I recovered."

Solari left you out of the Clasico and Ajax games when he desperately needed a goal.

"That week hurt me a lot. To not be able to help the team in such important games. But it's the past now and we have to think about what's coming."

Then Zinedine Zidane returned. Is that good for you?

"Zidane has been everything for this club. He's won everything as a player and as a coach. I have a good relationship with him and I'm in the first team because of him. He was the one who raised me and gave me the contract."

How will you face next season?

"With great enthusiasm. I want to show what I came here to do. This is going to be my year."

What does the team have to do to win titles again?

"Change the dynamic, start positive and go game by game."

Another season like this can't occur at Real Madrid. The demand will be greater than ever.

"It's always the maximum at Real Madrid. In every session and every game you have to be your best. That's why it's the biggest club in the world."

Karim Benzema is here and Luka Jovic will arrive. Is that too much competition?

"Competition is always good, both for me and them."

Don't you think the signing of Jovic is a big bet on a player in your position?

"Everyone who comes in in any position will be welcomed. That'll be for the good of the squad and it'll make us all stronger."

Do you think the team have been disrespected? Some players, and even Florentino Perez, have pointed that out.

"It's true that this team have won everything. We went three years in a row winning the Champions League, but in the end we only realise how hard it is to win when we lose."

You already left Real Madrid and returned, is that why you're so convinced that you won't leave again?

"Yes I left, but my team has always been Real Madrid and I was able to return. Now I'm 100 percent convinced that I want to succeed here."

What do you remember of your arrival in August? They must have been dizzying days.

"I had interest from Sevilla and then Real Madrid. I called the club first and then Lopetegui convinced me to come. I already said that I can't say no to Real Madrid, so here I am, where I want to be. I felt like a homecoming, but it was also strange because I was a different player."

You never had it easy in the academy, did you?

"Life in the academy and first team at Real Madrid is complicated. Firstly, because I had to compete with many good players, who are all playing in top divisions in Spain and abroad. It's always been difficult, I've not always been a starter, but I scored goals and became a starter."

Were you close to leaving?

"It was never my desire to leave the academy. I wanted to get to the first team of Real Madrid and what better way than through the academy?"