Former Real Madrid forward Mariano Díaz has reflected on the enormous responsibility he felt after inheriting the club’s legendary No. 7 jersey, one of the most historic squad numbers in football. Speaking to The Athletic, the striker admitted that while receiving the shirt was a proud moment, it also came with immense pressure and expectations.
Mariano was handed the No. 7 shirt in 2018 following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Juventus. The number had already been immortalised at the Santiago Bernabéu, previously worn by iconic figures such as Raúl González and Ronaldo, before being passed down to the Dominican-born striker. Mariano said the honour was significant, but so was the burden attached to it.
“Taking on that number was very nice, but at the same time it put a lot of pressure on me,” he revealed. “This jersey number may probably be the most important number ever worn by a Madrid player because it was worn by Raúl, Cristiano, and many legends.”
Despite the pressure and the enormous expectations that followed, Mariano insisted he never viewed himself as Ronaldo’s direct successor. The Portuguese superstar had redefined the No. 7 at Real Madrid with his historic goal-scoring feats, and Mariano acknowledged the impossibility of replicating that legacy.
