Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid No.7 shirt handed to returning Mariano

Returning Real Madrid forward Mariano Diaz has been handed Cristiano Ronaldo’s No.7 shirt at Real Madrid.

Mariano, 25, recently rejoined Real Madrid for a reported £20 million fee after scoring 21 goals in 48 games for French Ligue 1 side Lyon.

Upon receiving the fabled jersey, Mariano featured in a video of his unveiling released by Real Madrid on Friday afternoon. “We’re welcoming back one of our own, a player who came through the academy and who knows the values and principles which have led to us becoming the most prestigious and admired football club in the world,” said club president Florentino Pérez.

Mariano added: “Today is a very special day, I’m coming home. I can only thank the club, the coach and the president for allowing me to wear this shirt and defend the colours of the best team in the world. I’m excited to share the dressing room with such great players. I’m going to put my heart and soul into helping the team, making the fans proud and keep making history. Hala Madrid!”

⚽ @marianodiaz9 | #WelcomeMariano pic.twitter.com/WwD7fkBqTP

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) August 31, 2018

No player scored more goals from outside the box in Ligue 1 last season than Mariano, who scored a third of his 18-goal total in the French top flight last season from range.

Lyon would ultimately finish third in the table to earn a Champions League participation. They feature in Group F, alongside Hoffenheim, Manchester City and Shakhtar Donetsk

Ronaldo originally wore the No.9 shirt at Real but, following Raul’s exit from the club after his first season, he took up his favoured No.7 shirt.

The former Manchester United man scored 450 goals in 438 games during his nine-year stint with Los Blancos, before leaving for Juventus this summer in a deal worth over £100 million where has once again taken up the No.7 jersey.

Real Madrid’s next game is against Leganes on Saturday where they have the chance to make it three wins from three in the new La Liga season.

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