Real Madrid News
Real Madrid icon Luis Figo talks Yan Diomande, Bernardo Silva, Ballon d’Or: ‘He will take on a more prominent role’
Luis Figo has urged Real Madrid fans to be patient with Yan Diomande as the young winger continues adapting to life at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Diomande has become one of the most discussed players in the Real Madrid squad due to his €140 million price tag.
His performances have led some fans to call for him to start ahead of Vinicius Jr., but Figo believes the Ivorian needs time to fully understand what is required at one of the biggest clubs in football.
The former Real Madrid star feels the transition from another club to Real Madrid brings a different level of pressure and expectation.
“It’s normal for him to take it step by step. There’s a certain settling-in period. Playing for Real Madrid isn’t the same as playing for any other team,” explained Figo.
Figo expects Diomande to play a bigger role
Figo nevertheless believes Diomande has already made encouraging progress since arriving and expects his influence to increase as the season develops.
Rather than judging the youngster purely on whether he starts ahead of Vinicius, Figo pointed towards the youngster’s wider adaptation to the club.
“He’s already adapting to what Real Madrid is all about. And he’s developing.”
The competition with Vinicius will certainly attract attention, particularly when Diomande produces performances that excite the Bernabeu.
For now, though, Figo sees his progression as something that should happen gradually.
“I think that in the coming matches he’ll contribute more and start to take on a more prominent role.”
Figo discusses Bernardo Silva’s situation
Figo was also asked about Bernardo Silva, another Portuguese player whose position in Mourinho’s Real Madrid team has become a talking point.
The former Madrid winger focused on Bernardo’s technical qualities and what he can offer when given opportunities.
“Bernardo has great technical ability. If Mourinho decides to give him more playing time, he’ll surely bring that quality to bear.
“He can bring quality to the build-up play, which is one of his strengths,” he added.
Figo names several Ballon d’Or contenders
The conversation then turned towards the Ballon d’Or, with Figo describing an open race involving several high-profile names.
“In my opinion, there are three or four favourites to win the Ballon d’Or. A Spaniard for having won the World Cup, such as Lamine Yamal or Rodri, even though Rodri didn’t play much last season due to his injury.”
Figo also did not overlook the merits of other great players during the World Cup itself, stating,
“Mbappé and Messi were also very good. For me, there are three or four candidates… well… perhaps a few more.”
Figo then added another group of players to the discussion, pointing towards the importance of Champions League success and individual performances.
“We could also mention a player from Paris Saint-Germain for having won the Champions League. Dembele, for example, could also be among the favourites.
“And I can’t forget Olise or Kane, who have also had a fantastic season. It’s true that there are plenty of contenders this year,” he concluded.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
Real Madrid’s recent win over Villarreal certainly had its tense and controversial moments, most of them involving Vinicius Jr.
But the biggest silver lining for Los Blancos was Yan Diomande scoring his first goal for the club following his €140 million move from RB Leipzig.
Diomande’s slow start had made him a subject of much criticism in the media. In the first game after the international break, however, the forward opened his account, and he used the moment to pay tribute to his sister, who died at the age of 15, reports MARCA.
Diomande’s tribute to his late sister
On the hour mark, Federico Valverde slipped him through and the Ivorian finished low across goal for the game’s only strike.
Once VAR confirmed it, he walked away from his celebrating teammates, closed his eyes and broke down in tears, his gaze fixed on the sky.
He later explained the emotion in his post-match interview. “This means more than words can say. My first goal is for you, sister. Forever in my heart.”
Roxane died in 2025 at just 15, having believed in her brother long before anyone else did. From the age of ten she had acted as his biggest champion, and ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Diomande shared their story in a letter published in The Players’ Tribune.
“Everything I do on the field is for you,” he wrote.
Staking a claim for more minutes
Diomande’s goal against Villarreal also carried a lot of weight, in terms of his standing in the team.
“I’d been waiting for that first goal for a long time,” Diomande admitted on Real Madrid TV. His display offered a glimpse of his value, with four successful dribbles, the pace to stretch Villarreal and the movement to create space for Kylian Mbappe.
With Vinicius facing a possible and lengthened domestic suspension, the 19-year-old has a timely chance to claim a more prominent role.
He is also relishing a first taste of the Champions League. “It’s every child’s dream, and I’m very grateful to be doing it with Real Madrid.”
So it will be interesting to see whether or not Diomande gets more chances to perform in the coming matches, before Real Madrid prepare for the big fight against Barcelona.
