Real Madrid fans react on Twitter to Mariano Diaz being given the iconic number 7

Real Madrid are set to witness the dawn of an era of uncertainty- one without their star man Cristiano Ronaldo and without manager Zinedine Zidane whose unexpected exit from the club after winning the Champions League left fans shocked.

The Spanish side sold their greatest player - a goal machine - this summer. Cristiano Ronaldo left the club for Italian giants Juventus in a staggering £99m move, bringing to an end his nine-year stay at the Bernabeu.

Ronaldo's tally for the La Liga giants is an incredible 450 goals in 438 appearances, making him the greatest player in their history.

The Portuguese ace is set to become the first player ever to win titles in England, Spain and Italy if his efforts are successful at Juventus.

Clearly, there are gigantic shoes to fill at Real Madrid. The club recently announced that the Ronaldo's iconic number seven jersey will be handed over to Mariano Diaz who returns to the Santiago Bernabeu after a year away.

OFFICIAL: Mariano has been given Real Madrid's No.7 shirt, vacated by Cristiano Ronaldo after his move to Juventus this summer.No pressure. 7⃣ pic.twitter.com/oP99S2nuNk

— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) August 31, 2018

Mariano was shipped off to Lyon a year ago. Sevilla was on the cards for the 25-year-old, having agreed on a fee with Lyon, but Real Madrid pulled a surprise move by activating their buy-back clause and bringing him back to the Bernabeu.

Mariano was not the big name signing that Real fans wanted as Mohamed Salah, Eden Hazard and Harry Kane were all linked with a move to the Spanish giants but the talks came to nothing in the end.

Real Madrid fans all over are of the opinion that handing the number to Mariano will do him no favours and will instead put a huge amount of pressure and responsibility on his shoulders. They took to Twitter to make their feelings clear about the decision:

Mariano given the #7 jersey. Welcome to another episode of how to set a player up for failure 101.

— Xav Salazar (@XavsFutbol) August 30, 2018

Why did they give Mariano the 7 shirt bruh why would you do that to that man RIGHT after Cristiano lmao

— A West (@ayyy_west) August 31, 2018

7 Hazard? No7 Neymar? No7 Mbappe? No7 Mariano 😭 pic.twitter.com/4dU9ycYFN3

— Soccer Memes (@SoccerMemes) August 31, 2018

I never knew Real Madrid is such a shitty club with lack of respect for their legends....How can you give Mariano Ronaldo’s Jersey ffs ? That club will live long paying for such disrespect. Save this tweet

— E L J E F E (@Rx_Khaleel) August 31, 2018

After finding out that Mariano has been given the number 7. 🤦🏻‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/fqtxFGzA40

— Anonymous. (@nonexisting__) September 1, 2018

Disrespectful to give 7 to Mariano, so much pressure just by giving him that number.

— Emanuel (@ZetinaTV) August 31, 2018

Personally think Real Madrid should retire the number 7 for at least a season? I mean, Mariano aint gonna be a Galatico that suits the number 7.

— muddin (@_Muddin_) September 1, 2018

Some fans, however, had no problem with the decision and backed Mariano:

Mariano might not become the best ever No. 7 for Real Madrid but I do think this is a good signing while they weigh up the next Galactico

— Dean Jones (@DeanJonesBR) August 31, 2018

Okay I’m just gonna say this. Who cares that Mariano got #7. It’s a number, chill out.

— Geoorgeeeeee Melgar (@HundredGeorge7) August 31, 2018

Mariano scored 21 goals last season. With Benzema and Bale on form, he will find it hard to break into the starting linup but he will prove to be a better backup than anyone available. Hopefully the no.7 on his shirt will give him extra motivation...

— Hala Madrid (@RMadridCastilla) September 1, 2018

Mariano is every single fan who dreamed of coming up from the academy and wearing the most legendary shirt in club history I'm rooting for him so hard

— Haysoos (@OmVArvind) September 1, 2018

Mariano has accepted the number with grace and whether it works out for him or not remains to be seen.