Yan Diomande Joins Real Madrid, Hails Mourinho’s Role

Yan Diomande expresses pride in joining Real Madrid and praises Mourinho’s dedication in securing his transfer to the prestigious club.

Yan Diomande has shared his feelings about his “dream” transfer to Real Madrid, emphasizing the strong commitment he feels towards manager Jose Mourinho. The 19-year-old winger transitioned to the Spanish giants after an impressive season in Germany, and expressed his astonishment upon receiving a personal phone call from the renowned coach to finalize the move.

In his first public comments as the record signing for Real Madrid, Diomande expressed immense pride in his transfer to the Santiago Bernabéu. He noted, “It was like a dream because there is no bigger club.” The Ivorian’s disbelief was evident as he recounted his reaction upon learning about the interest from Madrid. “From the moment I found out, I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t believe it. I spoke with Juni [Calafat] and then I spoke with the coach. I was surprised because he spoke French,” he revealed.

Having quickly made a name for himself as one of Europe’s most promising talents, Diomande now joins an impressive squad featuring stars like Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham. Despite the high expectations, Diomande remained down-to-earth yet ambitious, stating, “I am proud and happy because I have made my dream come true.”

A key element in Diomande’s decision to join the club was the involvement of Mourinho, who showed determination to make the young player feel esteemed. “Mourinho got up at 5 in the morning to talk to me. That means he is important,” Diomande noted. He further reflected on that pivotal moment, explaining, “When Madrid calls you, you can’t say no, so I said: ‘If they want me, that’s where I’ll be.'”

The initial bond between player and coach was solidified upon Diomande’s arrival. He recalled Mourinho’s words: “As soon as I arrived, he told me: ‘I promised you that you were going to be part of my team, and here you are.’ And I told him: ‘I’m happy to work with you because you are the best.’ I can learn a lot from him; he is the right coach to continue my development. I am prepared to die for him.”

While Diomande admires Mourinho, the manager clarified that he didn’t specifically advocate for Diomande’s signing upon his return to the club. In a separate interview, Mourinho stated, “No, I didn’t ask for anyone. I came in without demanding a single player, having taken a good look at the squad and knowing exactly what I wanted to happen.” Nevertheless, he acknowledged the rarity of finding a player like Diomande, noting, “Finding a wide player [like Diomande] who is quick, aggressive, and can play on both flanks isn’t easy, it’s incredibly tough. Add to that the fact that he’s young, has room to develop, and has many years ahead of him at Real Madrid; when that opportunity came up, I didn’t want to get into whether he cost 120, 80, 40, or 20 million.”

Diomande’s journey to Real Madrid includes a poetic link to his new surroundings; he had his professional debut at the Bernabéu while playing for Leganés, which he still regards with fondness for facilitating his first steps in football. “It is God’s doing. I believe a lot in God,” he stated. “It has been quite a coincidence. I just want to enjoy every day. From that match I remember swapping shirts with Mbappé, and today we are in the same dressing room laughing together. I will never forget Leganés because it was the only club that gave me the opportunity to show my quality.”

As Real Madrid gears up for a powerful campaign in La Liga and European competitions, Diomande’s versatility is expected to be a valuable asset for the team.