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New Real Madrid acquisition Yan Diomande has opened up about the weight of expectations that come with representing the 15-time European champions, acknowledging that living up to the standards of his new club is "tougher" than anything he has experienced before.
Following a standout campaign at RB Leipzig, Diomande made the move to Los Blancos in a transfer valued at an initial €125 million ($144.3 million), with an additional €15 million ($17.3 million) in potential add-ons that could make him the most expensive signing in the club's history.
The 19-year-old winger penned a seven-year deal with Real Madrid and is set to bolster an attacking line that already boasts Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham. Diomande has wasted no time integrating with his new squad and on Tuesday sat down for his first interview since joining José Mourinho's setup.
"I'm proud and happy because this was my dream," he told Real Madrid TV. "Growing up, I always wanted to play for the greatest clubs in the world. I'm grateful to be here, and I'm happy and proud. I want my family to be proud of me."
"This is the biggest club in the world, and everyone wants to come here. I'm grateful to be here, and I want to share my happiness with everyone. I want to be part of the team's triumphs."
On the subject of the expectations that accompany wearing the Real Madrid badge, Diomande said: "It's different. This is tougher. It's normal because it's the biggest club. You need to work harder than at other clubs to be the best in the world. And that's what I'm trying to do."
Diomande Reveals Who Influenced His Real Madrid Move
Diomande had been heavily linked with Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool throughout the summer window before Real Madrid stepped in to secure his services. Choosing the Bernabéu as his next destination appeared to be a straightforward decision for the Côte d'Ivoire international, particularly following one key conversation.
"I want to thank the coach because we had a conversation beforehand, and I'm here thanks to him and the club, of course," Diomande said. "I'm happy. Thank you for this signing, and thank you to the club and the coach for believing in me."
"When Real Madrid calls you, you can't say no. It's that simple."
Diomande also shared his ambitions for his time in the famous white kit: "To have many successes with the club and help the team win everything. I am very happy to be here and I hope to be very successful with the team. Hala Madrid!"
Diomande Cannot Afford a Slow Start
Patience is a luxury rarely extended to anyone at Real Madrid, and Diomande will feel the heat from the home faithful from the very beginning. Any player arriving with such a jaw-dropping fee attached is expected to deliver straight away under the Bernabéu floodlights, regardless of his age.
Compounding the pressure on Diomande is the club's recent underwhelming run of form. Two consecutive trophy-less seasons have left supporters turning on even the squad's most established names, and the new arrival will be far from exempt from that scrutiny should Los Blancos fall short of expectations once again.
It is an enormous burden for such a young player to carry, given that Diomande has just one full season of top-level football to his name. The forward made 10 first-team appearances at Leganés in 2024–25 before earning a move to Leipzig, where he registered 13 goals and nine assists across 36 outings last season.
His impressive showing in Germany and his remarkable ceiling ultimately paved the way for a transfer to the Spanish capital, where he will now take ownership of the right wing. He will need to readjust to La Liga while also gearing up for his first taste of the Champions League, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup.
With the right flank having offered little threat over the past two campaigns, Real Madrid will be counting on Diomande to hit the ground running and forge a productive partnership with Trent Alexander-Arnold to finally inject some width into an attack that has leaned too heavily on the left side.