Mariano, in his presentation: “Sergio Ramos and I have come here to bite and give our best”
Mariano Díaz and Boubakary Soumaré, two of Sevilla’s last three signings for the 2023-24 season, have been officially presented this Tuesday in the press room of the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán stadium. Accompanied by the president, José Castro, and by the sports director, Víctor Orta, who will analyze the market tomorrow during the launch of Sergio Ramos, the French midfielder and the Spanish-Dominican forward have appeared before the media for the first time as Sevillistas.
In the case of the former Real Madrid player, the sports director has referred to the first report that appears in the footballer’s Technical Secretariat in Nervion, from more than 10 years ago. “With Mariano, in a match between Balompédica Linense and Badalona in August 2011, someone from Pablo Blanco’s entourage was watching the match and Pablo called me and told me: ‘Hey, they told me that there is a youth player in Badalona, who scored a goal in a Cup match,’ and we quickly tried to move. Real Madrid came forward, because we wanted to incorporate them into the División de Honor. He came through the youth ranks in the white team, he went on loan to Lyon, where he destroyed the French Ligue 1 networks, and there we have our first and second disagreement.”
“If it wasn’t the first time with Badalona and then when the club tried to incorporate him from Lyon, the third time was the charm. He has bet very hard on us, it has been the fastest contract review I have ever seen in my life, almost without looking at what he was signing. We want to give him back his enthusiasm, his love for football, his quality as a forward. His header is incredible, his ability to finish with both legs, which he not only receives from static but also from space, he is capable of giving a second play, fixing the centre-backs, a hit like his goal against Roma within the reach of very few… He has bet on us, he could have gone to the US or the Middle East, but he waited for us with his market strategy, and we have been able to incorporate you,” said Orta before the forward answered his first questions as a Sevilla player. His feelings in these first days at the club
“I started with very good feelings. We are very happy, very good team, very good pace, let’s see if we continue like this, and we can have the best season possible.”
Can he recover his best version at Sevilla?
“Yes, I think I can recover that version. The truth is that I haven’t had many minutes in recent years, but that’s what I’m coming for, to feel like a footballer again and give my all.”
Why did you opt for Real Madrid five years ago?
“Yes, that was five years ago, it’s already behind me. I made that decision at that time, but now I’m where I want to be, and I’m going to give my all for the opportunity they’ve given me.”
I think I can recover the best version of myself, I come to feel like a footballer again and give my best. Is Sevilla the perfect club to recover its level?
“I think so, Sevilla is a great club for that. We are in the biggest competitions and I hope to feel like a footballer again and be able to fulfill myself.”
He will wear the number that Kanouté wore
“For me, it is a pride to wear that number. I followed Kanouté and Luis Fabiano’s Sevilla a lot when I was little, and it is a pride that I am going to defend with all my soul.”
Will he be available for the next League matchday?
“Yes, I think I will be available. I have been training alone, which is not the same as with the group, but I have been training here for two days now, and I hope to be there for whatever the coach needs.”
Do you think you will be able to surpass 10 goals this season?
“Well, I come to give my all, the maximum possible goals, the maximum assists and the maximum work.”
Five years ago? It is a decision that I made at the time, now I want to think about the present, and I am very happyHis reunion with Sergio Ramos
“Very good feelings today with him, we both came here to bite and give our best.”
Do you regret the decision you made five years ago?
“No, as I said before, it is a decision I made at the time, now I want to think about the present, and I am very happy to be here.”
How do you feel emotionally?
“Well, I feel very, very excited, what better than Sevilla for this, and I look good physically. I hope to improve in these days until the next game.”
Do you think Seville will look different with the latest additions?
“Well, I hope it’s the same, but with the additions giving it a plus, and we can add three at a time.”
How much do you want to claim yourself as a forward?
“Well, I really want to, I always have. What I want is to put on the shirt, go out on the field and do my best.”
Is it better to arrive now with a national team break ahead?” Things happen when they happen. For me, it has also been very nice that it happened at the end, and I am very happy.”
His competition with En-Nesyri and Rafa Mir
“They are two great forwards, we all have to learn from each other, playing together or separately, and very good words from both of them.”