Real Madrid's Mariano not weighed down by Cristiano Ronaldo's No. 7 shirt

Mariano has said he is determined to be a success at Real Madrid despite many people criticising the decision to hand him the No. 7 shirt.
Cristiano Ronaldo had worn the shirt from 2010, when Raul left to join Schalke and it was expect that, after the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's departure to Juventus, Real Madrid would bring in a big-name replacement to take the shirt.
However, Mariano, who returned this summer after a season with Lyon, believes that too much is being made of it, though he admitted he is excited at the prospect of following in the footsteps of so many great players.
"I think [that taking the number] it is the least import thing," Mariano said. "Yes [it weighs heavy], but it was free, it's a number that I like and it's a personal challenge.
"I'm happy to wear the No. 7 [shirt], following Amancio, Juanito, [Emilio] Butragueno and Raul... and since I was a kid, I've seen them play with him ... And Cristiano Ronaldo, of course.
"It was free, all Real Madrid fans know it, and they tell me what number I wanted to wear. I asked what numbers are free. And I said: 'I like the No. 7.'
"Many people have told me [that it was very bold to take it]. Other people have told me bad things. Not bad but that there is pressure in weaing that number.
"Others have told me that I have been brave and others that I should not have taken it. I'm not thinking about it [the pressure], just training every day to the maximum to be able to enjoy minutes."
Sevilla were close to signing the striker but Real Madrid swooped in at the 11th hour. Mariano said he was taken by complete surprise by the call so late in the transfer window.
"I didn't have his phone number, I didn't know who it was," Mariano said of the phone call from Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui. "I wasn't expecting a call at that moment.
"He told me he'd love if I would come back and I told him the same and he explained everything to me. Sevilla were interested in me.
"That is something which I appreciated very much but then Madrid called, which is the club of my dreams and here I am. They knew that the club I love is Madrid, so I guess they have to understand."

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

GameStop To Introduce Installment Payment Plans for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S

Image
Preparing for the release of the Sony PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Xbox Series X/S, GameStop is now preparing to launch an installment payment plan program for the next-gen consoles. Revealed in a series of internal documents, the American video game, consumer electronics and gaming merchandise retailer is looking to help offer an alternative way to own the systems. GameStop is currently looking into installment plans, direct layaway and rent-to-own plans. Installment plans would be offered through third-party companies like Quadpay and Klarna, requiring customers to split their purchase into four payments over six weeks with no interest. Layaway would see customers pay small installments over a certain period of time to clear the full payment before they receive their consoles. While the rent-to-own plans would let customers rent the new consoles for an upfront fee, with the rest of the cost paid over a 12 month period. Customers can then fully pay off the cost to own a console or retu
Read more

St Augustine feast day, holy mass and thanksgiving celebration. 29/08/2023

          Sing praises! I sincerely want to applaud all our efforts ranging from our own little contributions, to our appeal fund raising. Our visit to Orifite was nothing short of amazing,  The gifts and songs presentation was out of this world. I love you all. To my very own choirmasters I can't love you less. Our carriages are one in million and I am so proud of you. To my immediate past chairman Mr. Ikenna Obunne, Chukwu gozie gi plenty. He is always very supportive and ready to give correction. Down to my wonderful  executive members I ❤ u all. Talk of my own Gee, my sec. P. Onye nkem ally girls and most importantly my P.A Eby of the most high, and if you happen to run into Ugochukwu Kelvin Eze, give him a huge for me. They made my work less tedious . Buuuu nwa dalu ooooo. To my sons in whom I  well pleased the likes of John Eze, Chigozie Idioha, Ifeanyi Idoko and Chukwuemeka Mmaduchem. you are always dear to my heart. Cassy! Cassy!! Cassy!!! the chef I love you. Ndi St Augus
Read more

Nigeria hunger crises can kill 200 children per day.

Image
  Two hundred children could die each day from hunger in northeastern Nigeria as a result of the ongoing conflict in the country, a humanitarian agency has warned. Up to half of all children under the age of five are acutely malnourished, international charity Save the Children said on Monday, after screening the health of boys and girls in the region between June and October in 2016. The figure could be even worse in areas that are out of reach because of insecurity, according to the report. Children are presenting in desperate conditions and facing severe malnutrition, often in combination with other life-threatening illnesses like pneumonia, malaria and diarrhoea," said Ben Foot, Save the Children country director. "For some cases this may be the second or third time they have fought malnutrition so their immune systems are already severely weakened." Violent attacks on civilians since 2009 by the armed group Boko Haram have affected almost 15 milli
Read more