From Real Madrid to Alavés: The Professional Journey of Forward Mariano Díaz
In short: Born in Spain and representing the Dominican Republic, Mariano Díaz has navigated a complex career across top-tier European leagues. From his prolific youth days at Real Madrid to his recent resurgence at Deportivo Alavés, his path illustrates the unpredictable nature of professional football and the pursuit of international recognition.
Mariano Díaz Mejía, born in 1993 in Premià de Mar, Catalonia, began his footballing journey with local clubs before joining the Real Madrid youth system in 2011. His early professional development was marked by a standout 2015–16 season with the Real Madrid reserves, where he finished as the top scorer in the Segunda División B. This performance earned him a promotion to the first team under Zinedine Zidane in 2016, where he contributed to a squad that secured La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles.
In 2017, Mariano moved to the French club Olympique Lyonnais for a reported €8 million. His time in Ligue 1 was highly productive, as he netted 18 league goals during the 2017–18 season. This success prompted Real Madrid to re-sign him in 2018 for €23 million, where he famously inherited the number 7 shirt. Despite flashes of brilliance, including a memorable goal in an El Clásico victory in 2020, his second stint at the club was hampered by limited appearances and health challenges, including a positive COVID-19 test in July 2020.
Following his departure from Real Madrid in 2023, Mariano spent time at Sevilla FC before a period as a free agent. In August 2025, he signed a two-year contract with Deportivo Alavés. His international career is equally distinct; although born in Spain, he chose to represent the Dominican Republic, the birthplace of his mother. While he briefly retired from international duty to keep his options open for a potential Spanish call-up, he returned to the Dominican squad in 2025, highlighting the dual-national identity that has defined his professional narrative.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Mariano Díaz
- Also: Wikidata — Mariano Díaz · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Mariano Díaz · CC0
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