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Luis Diaz has described his high-profile move from Liverpool to Bayern Munich as a "big gamble", revealing he consulted former teammate Florian Wirtz before making the switch.
The Colombian winger joined the Bundesliga champions in a 65.5 million pound deal last month following a standout season in which he helped Liverpool capture the Premier League title. Despite efforts from the Anfield club to extend his contract, negotiations twice broke down, ultimately paving the way for his departure.
"It was a big gamble, and I'm very grateful to the Bayern management for trusting me," Diaz said after his debut. "I came here to win, to compete, and to give my best. Starting like this, with a title and a goal, is incredible."
Diaz made an immediate impact, scoring the decisive goal in Bayern's 2-1 DFL-Supercup victory over VfB Stuttgart on Saturday. The 28-year-old described the occasion as "a dream start," marking his first official appearance, first goal, and first trophy with the German giants.
Though the Bundesliga represents new territory for the winger, Diaz said he had done his homework - starting with a conversation with Wirtz, who joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen earlier this year for a club-record 116m pounds.
"I already had some knowledge of the Bundesliga," Diaz explained. "I love watching football. Speaking with Florian helped-he told me what to expect and how physical the league is. I know I'll need time to settle, but I'm excited for the challenge."
Diaz's debut goal carried personal significance. After scoring, he raised his hands to the sky in tribute to former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota, who tragically died in a car accident last month alongside his younger brother, Andre Silva.
"It's brutal," said Diaz. "No one is prepared for something like that. Diogo was an incredible teammate, and it's still hard to believe he's gone. I had planned to dedicate my first goal to him. He'll live on in our memories."
Jota's sudden passing deeply affected the Liverpool squad, with tributes pouring in from across the football world. For Diaz, the opportunity to honor his late friend on such a significant day made the moment even more meaningful.
Though he's only been in Munich for two weeks, Diaz has already started to carve out his place in Thomas Tuchel's plans. With Bayern chasing another domestic title and a return to European dominance, Diaz is expected to play a key role.
"It's always up to me to respond on the pitch," he said. "I'm here to contribute, to be at the disposal of the coaching staff, and to grow with this team."
As Bayern's newest attacking asset begins his journey in Germany, his debut offered a glimpse of what he brings - not just pace and precision, but also perspective, maturity, and purpose.
