Yan Diomandé has given his first major interview since joining Real Madrid. Speaking to SportyTV, the young Ivorian opened up about his spectacular rise, José Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Didier Drogba and the enormous expectations surrounding his transfer.
Just days after completing his move to Real Madrid, Diomandé, the most expensive signing in the club’s history at €120 million plus €20 million in potential add-ons, shared his first impressions of life in the Spanish capital.
The Bernabéu, his new home
“Yes, this is my new home. I’m happy to be here and to be part of the team. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. It was my dream and now it has happened,” Diomandé said.
The youngster admitted that he has never experienced the renovated Santiago Bernabéu from the inside and is already dreaming about scoring his first goal there.
His rise over the past 14 months has been extraordinary, but his ambition remains unchanged.
“I’ve always wanted to become one of the best players in the world. That has been my goal from the beginning. I have confidence and I work every day to achieve it.”
The call from Real Madrid and Mourinho
Diomandé described Real Madrid’s interest as almost impossible to believe.
“There is no bigger club than Real Madrid. When Real Madrid comes and says, ‘We want you,’ it feels like a dream. I couldn’t believe it.”
He first spoke with Juni Calafat before receiving a call from José Mourinho.
“I was surprised because he spoke French. I think it was five in the morning in Portugal and he woke me up to talk. He told me it was important. I said, ‘Why not?’ When Real Madrid calls, you don’t say no.”
Diomandé believes Mourinho can play a major role in his development.
“He has a lot of personality. When you’re young, sometimes you can lose focus. I think he is the right coach for me to continue learning.”
Drogba’s message about Mourinho
Growing up in Ivory Coast, Diomandé admired legends such as Yaya Touré and Didier Drogba. He recently spoke with the former Chelsea striker.
“Drogba told me Mourinho was my father and that I had to work hard. He is a legend, so of course you listen to him.”
Asked about Drogba’s famous relationship with Mourinho, Diomandé smiled.
“If you play for Mourinho, you want to die for Mourinho. Everybody knows his character. We are ready to die for him.”
Mbappé, Vinicius and Cristiano Ronaldo
Diomandé is now surrounded by some of world football’s biggest stars.
“It is exciting to play with Vinicius, Mbappé and Bellingham. They are among the best players in the world and playing with them will help me improve.”
He revealed that Vinicius is currently the teammate he feels closest to, while speaking French has helped him connect with Mbappé.
But his greatest childhood idol remains Cristiano Ronaldo.
🚨 Yan Diomandé: “Real Madrid spent a lot of money on me, people are waiting for me, but I have NO PRESSURE.
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) August 20, 2026
They spent a lot of money cause they believe in me, why will I be scared?
I’m not scared, I feel no pressure, I will do what I do, and God will do the rest.” @SportyTV pic.twitter.com/jhd3OVoAsA
“Everybody knows Cristiano is my idol. Now I play for the club where he played. Sometimes I look at his picture at the training ground and I still can’t believe it.”
No fear despite the record fee
Diomandé also addressed the pressure created by his enormous transfer fee.
“Real Madrid paid a lot of money because they believe in me. People expect a lot, but I don’t feel pressure.”
And when asked whether he feared failure, his answer was immediate.
“Why should I be afraid? I’ll do everything I can on the pitch. I control what I can control, and God will do the rest.”
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