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The matches between Real Madrid and Manchester City are a new Champions League classic. On April 9, the teams had a great first quarterfinal in Spain, which ended with a score of 3-3. Today, April 17, the clubs will play the second leg. One of those who will surely appear on the field is Brahim Díaz. The Spaniard received his football education from him at City’s academy and is now becoming a leader in Madrid. We tell you why Díaz did not stay in the Premier League.
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In 2010, Brahim, at the age of 10, joined the Málaga youth team, a team from his hometown. But three years later he was bought by Manchester City. Although Díaz could end up in Barcelona. In 2011, Brahim was already introduced to the main Catalan team; Pep Guardiola showed the boy the Camp Nou in the company of David Villa and Andrés Iniesta. And Braim’s father signed a secret contract with Barcelona. But the vice president of Málaga promised Díaz a contract with a salary of 100 thousand euros a year, a house in a cool area of the city and a place in the main team when he turned 16. The boy’s father got a job and Braim’s four sisters were paid for their education at a private school.
The young star and her family were convinced to stay. A year later, Barça returned, but Málaga immediately asked for 300,000 euros + 4.5 million euros in bonuses. Díaz once again remained with his local team. But Manchester City accepted these conditions in 2013 and acquired the talent.
Brahim Diaz
Photo: Malaga
Why did Díaz attract the giants so much? Brahim played successfully in all attacking positions (both in the center and on both wings), stood out for his technique, dribbling and ability to make passes of any complexity. An important quality for both Barça and City is the ability to think quickly, change pace and feel space and time on the pitch.
Díaz is also ambidextrous (he is good with both legs). In Manchester, Brahim became the academy’s top talent. He eclipsed even Jadon Sancho and Phil Foden. The young winger destroyed his rivals with his unpredictable dribbling. “In the Premier League he can be compared to Hazard, but Brahim’s dribbling style is reminiscent of Messi. Plus, he looks a bit like David Silva,” said Edward Francis, Díaz’s teammate in Manchester City’s youth ranks.
Pep Guardiola and Brahim Díaz
Photo: PA Images via Getty Images
Brahim made his debut for City at the age of 17. Guardiola finally worked with Díaz! In September 2016, the midfielder played in the final of the third round of the English League Cup against Swansea (2-1). In the 2017/2018 season, the Spaniard already played 10 games and in November 2018 he scored his only double in England. Dias scored two goals against Fulham in the fourth round of the League Cup (2-0).
However, Braim did not like the fact that at the age of 19 he had not become an important player in Manchester City’s core. The management was counting on the Spaniard, promoting him in the media, but there was too much competition in the main team. Díaz’s places could be filled by Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Alexander Zinchenko, Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, Leroy Zane and Raheem Sterling. How can you become the main one?
In February we told how Díaz opened in Madrid:
The new leader of Real Madrid, who perhaps you had not noticed
“It is difficult for young people to play in a top-level club, but Braim is showing his level,” Guardiola said. “He’s amazing in training.” We all appreciate it very much. It’s simple: we need it. Manchester City are interested in extending Díaz’s contract between four and five years. We will do everything possible to make him stay, but the decision will be made by Braim. If Díaz doesn’t want to play for this team, he should leave. These kinds of things happen. Little depends on us in this situation. “Maybe it’s time to change teams.”
Dissatisfied with his playing time, Díaz decided to leave Manchester City. Real Madrid showed up and paid 17 million euros for Brahim. A significant sum for a player who only played 15 games in the top category. Díaz was delighted with the transfer: “This is the most important day of my life, because I moved to the club I dreamed of playing for since I was little. When I decided to leave Manchester City I had three options: the first was to go to Real Madrid, the second was to go to Real Madrid and the third was to go to Real Madrid. “I didn’t want to play anywhere else, it’s impossible to find a better club.”
Brahim Diaz
Photo: Federico Titone/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
The president of Madrid, Florentino Pérez, did not hide his joy: “We have received a player with the talent and values that can make him very important for Real Madrid.” We are pleased to welcome Díaz. “He is a quality player who can produce magic on the field and a great personality who dreams of winning with this club.”
Josep Guardiola
Manchester City head coach
“With Brahim we did the same thing we did with Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho. These are important players. We did the best. The only one who decided to stay at the club was Phil. We wish Brahim all the best. Of course, moving to Real Madrid is not the worst option to continue his career. I hope he gets as much playing time as he wants. I wish him the best, he’s a great guy.”
In the season and a half after the transfer, Díaz also did not become Real Madrid’s main star, playing only 21 games. Although in the 2019/2020 season Brahim won the Spanish Championship with Madrid. And then three seasons on loan in Milan and Serie A gold in 2022. Brahim, 24, is currently on the rise at Real Madrid, with nine goals and five assists in 36 appearances.
Díaz returns to the Etihad today. There is a chance to knock the former club out of the Champions League, getting closer to the first European trophy of his career.
Real Madrid has already found another player for the future:
Barça and Real Madrid fight for a new Argentine star
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