ALuis Diaz has had a good start to his career since leaving Liverpool last summer. Bayern Munich under Vincent Kompany, scoring 18 goals (12 goals, six assists) in all competitions. Bayern manager Vincent Kompany gave Diaz a few days off to hit the reset button after being sent off at PSG, but now the 28-year-old winger is back and ready to wrap up the year as Bayern play their final game of 2025 this Sunday when they travel to Heidenheim. I spoke to the Colombian star about his new club, life in Germany and next summer's World Cup, headlined by Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Why do you think you acclimatized well at Bayern, especially since you had to adapt to the Bundesliga?
I think it's because they put a lot of trust in me. From day one, my teammates and the club also accepted me very quickly, and although learning the language is a little difficult, they made me feel like part of the family. The truth is that with Bayern I found a very close-knit and relaxed team – something I've always been used to and something I've always wanted. That's why it was very easy.
I also came from good years in LiverpoolEspecially last year, so playing in the Premier League helped me a lot. But I wanted to challenge myself and play in the Bundesliga, try a new experience. I knew that I would succeed. Of course, I didn't expect to succeed so quickly, but that's what I work for.
You've always been a creative player, but it seems like the Company has really allowed you to be even more free. Do you agree?
Yes, completely. I feel more confident, more comfortable. I also have a wonderful group [of teammates] where we all play for a team. I mean, we have a lot of stars! But we play together more, and this is also very important. It's worth repeating.
After the game against St. Pauli, Kompany said that you have “chaotic creativity.” You are the one who can always make something happen in chaos. Do you consider yourself a person who likes to create chaos on the field?
[Laughs] Yes, completely. I love [the chaos]. I try to enjoy it as much as possible. Obviously with the commitment you must have, [you do] everything the manager asks of you. But I also want to enjoy it and create those chaotic moments you were talking about. This is important for me, because I, too, live on the field as a player who gives me a headache.
You mentioned that there are no egoists in the team; there are certainly many stars. One of them is Harry Kane.
Wow. Harry Kane… is incredible. I met him many times when he was at Tottenham, so I knew him on the pitch, but I never shared it with him. Because it’s one thing to see him, and another thing to share with him in training or in the locker room.
Day after day…
More precisely, day after day. Small details. He surprised me.
How did he surprise you?
He does things in training that I tell myself, “This can’t be true.” He's so good. So good. This is true! He plays so much and does everything well. Hunting the ball, passing, defending – you watch him defend, he gives so much of himself, so calm… and yet he scores goals. This guy lives for them. Everyone who comes to him – one, two, three – he kills them all.
He is also a wonderful person. Very down to earth, family oriented… just an amazing person.
Bayern's other goal is to win the Champions League again. How confident are you in the club's hopes of winning again?
Every time I come to a new club, just because that's who I am, I want to win everything. Whatever is available. The club clearly wants to win. [the Champions League] from the very beginning and we are currently doing well. But at the end of the day, I think we need to show it and confirm it in the final stages.
I remember when I was in school I had to learn German and I thought it was the hardest thing in the world. How do you, your partner Geraldine and your two daughters like living in Germany? Was it culture shock?
Honestly, my life here has been wonderful because the city of Munich is also so wonderful. There is so much to do. It is big, there is something to do with children, restaurants…
Have you found Arepa? (traditional Colombian cutlets)
No, this is impossible here – after all, the best arepas are Colombian! But no, to be honest, there's a lot of good stuff here. It's very modern and clean, I love Munich. I walk with the girls in the park and everything else. The public respects [your privacy] – they see you, but they respect you. They are very grateful. My family too.
Your children will now speak three languages!
Yes! The eldest also especially speaks English, and I like that because we didn’t have that as kids. I didn't learn English at school, only Spanish. Therefore, it is a great advantage for them to have this.
But not with a Scouse accent.
[Laughing] Yes, exactly.
Let's finish with Colombia. Now you know your group on World Cup. In Miami you will meet Ronaldo and Portugal! This will be one of the biggest matches of the group stage and will certainly receive huge support in Colombia. How do you feel about this?
We are very excited about the World Cup, we had a great process. [getting there] under teacher Nestor [Lorenzo] since he came and I think we have grown a lot. We played some good matches and learned both positive and negative aspects. The bad and the good. And now you see a happy team, very calm, very united, striving for the same goal, and I like it. I also see that our fans, our people are in the same mood.
Game against Portugal? It will be incredible. They have one of the best players in the world – Cristiano Ronaldo. I also had the chance to play with Vitinya. [at Porto]they have Bruno Fernandes… it will be a very well played match. We showed that we can play against any team, so obviously we will strive to win.
Colombian fans are everywhere in America – the largest South American community in the United States. I myself live in New York, not far from Jackson Heights, Queens, which is, in fact, Barranquilla. The Colombian fan base here is incredible. What do you think will help the national team next summer?
Yes, yes, yes. Fully. This is a very important factor. To have a full fan base and fill half the stadium is incredible considering all the games we've played in the US. It will be incredible that the fans will support us and we will feel at home. It will be so nice.
I would also like to know your opinion about James Rodriguez as this is probably his last World Cup. coffee maker who played for Bayern. How important is he for Colombia – for the fans and the team?
He is our captain, our leader, and every time he puts on the Colombian jersey he is transformed. He always gives his all for the national team every time he plays and we look up to him. He is also at an age that allows him to feel more at ease, happy and enjoying life. I don't know how much time he has left, I want to enjoy him even more! I want him to always be on the team. So for us, the team, for our people, he is number 10. Captain. He is everything to us.
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Luis Miguel Echegaray is a writer, analyst and presenter specializing in soccer and sports coverage that also appeals to U.S. Hispanic audiences. He previously worked for ESPN, CBS Sports, Sports Illustrated and returns to the Guardian as a contributor.
