Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has hailed summer signing Yan Diomande as hard-working and humble after Diomande played his third game of the season on Sunday.
Diomande came on as a second-half substitute as Madrid secured a convincing 4-0 victory over Malaga in La Liga.
The Ivory Coast winger played for 25 minutes as goals from Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Arda Guler and Alfonso Herrero’s own goal powered Mourinho’s men to their third straight win of the season.
MOURINHO PRAISES DIOMANDE AFTER MALAGA WIN
Diomande replaced Brahim Diaz just after the hour mark and managed 17 touches, including one successful dribble, in the final 25 minutes.
His first three appearances for Real Madrid have come as a substitute, and while the wait for his first goal continues, Mourinho has demanded more patience.
The Portuguese coach spoke highly of Diomande’s attitude in training, and he shielded him from criticism of the player's €140m transfer fee.
This summer, the Ivorian star broke the African transfer fee record previously held by compatriot Nicolas Pepe following his blockbuster move from RB Leipzig to Santiago Bernabeu.
"Yan Diomande works very hard, he's humble, he wants to learn, he listens to me and to his teammates,” Mourinho said after win against Malaga (via Madrid Zone).
“We are going little by little with him, and his time will come. You guys will care about his price of 100M, or 120M, how much was it again? I don't remember.
“He's very talented, but very young, very naive, he's not someone who will immediately come and take the league by storm. Take it easy, calma.”
WHAT DIOMANDE BRINGS TO REAL MADRID SQUAD
With his quick feet and impeccable eye for goal, Diomande has the qualities to light up Real Madrid's attack in the 2026-27 season.
Mourinho’s men are set for a congested schedule with La Liga, UEFA Champions League, Copa del Rey fixtures still to come, and squad depth will be crucial at some point.
With the ball, Diomande is a constant threat in one-on-one situations, which made him the player with the most attempted dribbles in the Bundesliga last season.
Even without the ball, his agility still makes him a threat to opposing defenders, as he won the most duels in the German top-flight last season.
