Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz offers opinion on competition for places with Kylian Mbappe and Endrick
Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz has opened up on competition for places with Kylian Mbappe and Endrick ahead of the start of Los Merengues' 2024-25 campaign.
Earlier this Tuesday (August 6), Diaz impressed in a 2-1 pre-season friendly victory over Premier League side Chelsea. The 25-year-old attacking midfielder netted his side's second goal in the 27th minute after Lucas Vazquez scored the opener eight minutes earlier in the tie.
After the end of Real Madrid's pre-season contest in Charlotte, United States, Diaz was asked to offer his two cents on competition for places at his club next season. He replied (h/t X/@MadridXtra):
"More competition with Endrick and Mbappe? This is Real Madrid. The best club in the world, the best play here. We are a team, there is no rivalry, we want to win together."
After returning from a three-year-long loan spell at AC Milan, Diaz relished a stellar campaign in the 2023-24 term. He scored 12 goals and recorded nine assists in 44 matches across competitions for his club.
Diaz, who is a Manchester City youth product, is expected to primarily operate in a number 10 role for Los Blancos next season. He could also step in at either flank if and when needed by boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti opines on player's role after Kylian Mbappe's signing
During a recent press conference, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was asked if Jude Bellingham's role will be affected by Kylian Mbappe's arrival. He replied (h/t BBC):
"Nothing changes for him [due to Mbappe's recent signing]. Nothing changes. The first season, he surprised a lot, because he showed fantastic quality, a really mature guy. The next season will not be different. He is going to be one of the best players that we have, supporting a lot the team with his quality."
Opining on Bellingham's displays at the UEFA Euro 2024, he added:
"This is an opinion but Bellingham played really well at the Euros. England played really well, they reached the final and were close to winning it. I don't know how the players are tired for the game. The most important players are used to playing every three days, they manage that really well and arrive at the end of the season without any problems."
Last season, Bellingham registered 23 goals and 13 assists in 42 total matches for Real Madrid after arriving in a potential €134 million deal.
The 23-year-old Englishman found the back of the net two times and recorded one assist in seven outings at the Euro 2024 in Germany.