Bayern Munich’s Luis Díaz: ‘I want to enjoy it and create those chaotic moments’ | Bayern Munich

After leaving Liverpool this previous summer season, Luis Díaz has had a robust begin at Bayern Munich beneath Vincent Kompany, having amassed 18 aim contributions (12 targets, six assists) in all competitions. Bayern supervisor Vincent Kompany gave Díaz a couple of days off to press the reset button after his sending off in opposition to PSG, however now the 28-year-old winger is again and able to wrap up the 12 months as Bayern play their ultimate sport of 2025 this Sunday after they journey to Heidenheim. I spoke to the Colombian star about his new membership, life in Germany and subsequent summer season’s World Cup, which features a headline matchup in opposition to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.

This interview has been frivolously edited for size and readability.

Why do you suppose you will have acclimated nicely to Bayern, particularly given you’ve needed to alter to the Bundesliga?

I believe it’s as a result of they’ve positioned an amazing quantity of belief in me. From the primary day, my teammates and the membership additionally made me really feel welcome in a short time, and although studying the language is somewhat troublesome they made me really feel like a part of the household. The reality is that with Bayern I’ve discovered a really united crew, relaxed -something I’ve all the time been used to and one thing I’ve all the time needed. In order that’s why this has been very simple.

I used to be additionally coming from good years at Liverpool, the ultimate 12 months particularly, so taking part in within the Premier League actually helped me. And for me I needed a problem and to play within the Bundesliga, strive a brand new expertise. I knew that I might do nicely. Clearly I didn’t anticipate for me to do nicely so shortly however that’s what I work for.

You might have all the time been a inventive participant however evidently Kompany has actually allowed you to be much more free. Do you agree?

Sure, fully. I really feel extra assured, extra snug. And I even have a spectacular group [of teammates] the place all of us play for the crew. I imply, now we have many stars! However we play extra collectively and in order that’s crucial as nicely. It’s value repeating.

After the sport in opposition to St Pauli, Kompany stated you will have a “chaotic creativity.” You’re somebody who can all the time do one thing in chaos. Do you see your self as somebody who likes to create chaos on the pitch?

[Laughs] Sure, completely. I really like [the chaos]. I attempt to get pleasure from it as a lot as potential. Clearly with the dedication that you have to have, [you do] regardless of the supervisor asks of you. However I additionally wish to get pleasure from it and create these chaotic moments you had been speaking about. It’s elementary for me as a result of I additionally dwell on the pitch like that, a participant that causes complications.

You talked about there are not any egos among the many crew there are actually a whole lot of stars. One among them is Harry Kane.

Wow. Harry Kane … is unbelievable. I confronted him many occasions again when he was with Tottenham so I knew him on the pitch however by no means shared it with him. As a result of one factor is seeing him and the opposite is sharing with him in coaching or within the dressing room.

The daily…

Precisely, the daily. The little particulars. He stunned me.

How did he shock you?

He does issues in coaching the place I say to myself, “this will’t be.” He’s so good. So good. It’s the reality! He performs a lot and does all the things nicely. Hunts for the ball, passes, defends – you watch him defend, he dedicates himself a lot, somebody so calm … and but he scores targets. This man lives for them. Every one that involves him – as soon as, twice, thrice – he scores all of them.

He’s additionally an incredible particular person. Very down-to-earth, family-orientated…only a spectacular particular person.

Bayern’s different goal is to win the Champions League once more. How assured are you of the membership’s hopes of profitable it as soon as once more?

Each time I come to a brand new membership, simply due to the best way I’m, I wish to win all the things. No matter is up for grabs. The membership clearly desires to win [the Champions League] from the start, and we’re at the moment doing nicely. However on the finish I believe we have to present it and ensure it on the ultimate phases.

I bear in mind in my faculty days I needed to be taught German and thought it was the toughest factor on this planet. How do you, your companion Geraldine and two daughters like dwelling in Germany? Was it a tradition shock?

Actually, my life right here has been nice as a result of town of Munich can be so nice. There are such a lot of issues to do. It’s massive, there are many issues to do with the youngsters, the eating places…

Have you ever discovered any Arepas? (conventional Colombian patties)

No, that’s inconceivable right here – you realize the perfect Arepas are Colombian! However no, truthfully, there are many nice issues right here. It’s very fashionable and clear, I really like Munich. I’m going out with the women to the park and all the things else. The general public respects [your privacy] – they see you however they respect you. They’re very grateful. My household too.

Your youngsters are going to talk three languages now!

Sure! The eldest particularly speaks English too and I really like that as a result of we didn’t have that rising up. I didn’t be taught English in class, solely Spanish. So for them to have it’s a nice benefit.

However not with a scouse accent.

[Laughing] Sure, precisely.

Let’s end with Colombia. Now you realize your group on the World Cup. You’ll face Ronaldo and Portugal in Miami! It will likely be one of many greatest matches of the group phases and it’ll absolutely have an amazing quantity of Colombian assist. How do you’re feeling about it?

We’re very excited for the World Cup, we’ve had an incredible course of [getting there] beneath Professor Néstor [Lorenzo] since he got here and I believe now we have grown so much. We’ve got performed some good matches, discovered some constructive and equally discovered some destructive issues. Dangerous and good. And so now you see a contented crew, very calm, very united that goals for a similar goal and I really like that. I additionally see that our followers, our persons are in the identical sentiment.

The sport in opposition to Portugal? It’s going to be unbelievable. They’ve among the best gamers on this planet – Cristiano Ronaldo. I additionally had an opportunity to play with Vitinha [at Porto]they’ve Bruno Fernandes … it’s going to be a really nicely performed match. We’ve got proven that we will play in opposition to any nationwide crew and so we’ll clearly be on the lookout for the win.

The Colombian followers in America are in all places – the biggest South American neighborhood within the US. I actually dwell in New York Metropolis, I dwell near Jackson Heights, Queens – which is principally Barranquilla. The Colombian fanbase is unbelievable right here. Do you suppose that may assist the nationwide crew subsequent summer season?

Sure, sure, sure. Completely. That’s an excellent necessary issue. To have a whole fanbase and to fill half the stadium is unbelievable from all of the matches now we have performed within the US. To have these followers to assist us goes to be unbelievable and we’ll really feel like we’re dwelling. It’s going to be so gratifying.

I additionally needed your ideas on James Rodríguez as that is most likely his ultimate World Cup – one other Cafetero who performed for Bayern. How necessary is he to Colombia – the followers and the crew?

He’s our captain, our chief and each time he places on the Colombian shirt he transforms himself. He all the time provides all the things for the nationwide crew each time he performs and he’s the one we glance as much as. He’s additionally at an age that enables him to be extra relaxed, joyful and revel in life. I don’t know the way lengthy he has, I wish to get pleasure from him extra! I would like him all the time with the nationwide crew. So for us, the nationwide crew, for our individuals – he’s the No 10. The captain. He’s all the things for us.

Luis Miguel Echegaray is a author, analyst and host specializing in soccer and sports activities content material that additionally appeals to the U.S. Latino viewers. He has beforehand labored at ESPN, CBS Sports activities, Sports activities Illustrated and is returning to the Guardian as a contributor.