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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 after a season with Lyon, was given that honour and he insists he is not thinking about the “nonsense” surrounding the iconic jersey — and is excited at the prospect of following in the footsteps of so many great players.
“No, no,” he said when asked if the reaction to him taking the shirt annoyed him. “It motivates me, if anything. It motivates me to be here every day.
“It’s nonsense, people have said bad things to me too: ‘It’s too much pressure,’ ‘You shouldn’t do it.’ They’ve said everything.
“I’m not thinking about it, just training every day to the maximum to be able to enjoy minutes. I’m happy to wear the No. 7 [shirt], following Amancio, Juanito, [Emilio] Butragueno and Raul. It weighs a lot but it was free, it’s a number that I like and it’s a personal challenge.”
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.”
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