Spanish La Liga club Alavés have terminated the contract of forward Mariano Díaz, according to reports from Marca. The 32-year-old’s deal was ended a year early, despite having twelve months remaining on his current terms.
Díaz joined Alavés in August of last year following a period without a club after leaving Sevilla. However, his time at the Mendizorrotza Stadium proved largely unsuccessful, making only 12 appearances across all competitions and scoring three goals in Copa del Rey matches. His performances failed to meet the expectations of the club’s leadership.
The decision to release Díaz also comes as a result of a tactical shift by Alavés manager Quique Sánchez Flores, who intends to implement a 4-4-2 formation. Flores reportedly informed the club’s board that Díaz’s profile does not align with the requirements of his preferred system.
Díaz originally rose to prominence during a successful spell with Lyon, where he scored 18 league goals in the 2017-2018 season. This form earned him a return to Real Madrid, his boyhood club, though he struggled to establish himself as a regular starter due to the presence of Karim Benzema. He had a previous spell at Real Madrid, but found first team opportunities limited.
Díaz’s career has seen a noticeable decline since his peak years in France, and this latest setback leaves his future uncertain. The forward will now be a free agent and available to join another club during the transfer window. It remains to be seen what his next move will be as he searches for a team to reignite his career.
