5 players who might get offloaded by Zidane at Real Madrid 

#2 Mariano Diaz

Mariano Diaz sports the legendary no.7 on his back

It was always going to be almost impossible for Real Madrid to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, as the Portuguese' achievements and displays meant he left huge boots that anyone else would find difficult to fill.

The number 7 has always had a special place in Real Madrid's history, worn by some of the most legendary players to ever don the white of Los Blancos including Raul, Emilio Butragueno, Raymond Kopa, Amancio Amario but to name a few.

And any player wearing the shirt number has this weight of history upon him, much less being the immediate occupant after the legendary Ronaldo.

Fans worldwide expected that the club would go all out in a bid to bring a superstar galactico to the club to replace Ronaldo and continue the illustrious history of the number 7 shirt at the club.

So it came as a major shock when the club's only outfield signing was the announcement of the return of former academy graduate Mariano Diaz, further exacerbated by handing him the hallowed number 7 jersey.

The 25-year-old had just one breakthrough season at Lyon, prompting his return to the Bernabeu. However, the move has not exactly worked out in the manner expected.

So far this season, Mariano has made just 15 appearances in all competitions scoring two goals - numbers which are some way off matching those posted by the man he 'replaced' at the club.

Given the intense competition for places in the current Madid attack coupled with the fact that the club is being linked with a number of high profile forwards, it is highly likely that Mariano's Madrid dream could be over just a year after it begun.