​Real Madrid’s Spanish defender #35 Raul Asencio fights for the ball with Barcelona’s Polish forward #9 Robert Lewandowski during the Spanish Super Cup final football match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at the King Abdullah Sport City in Jeddah on January 12, 2025. (Photo by Haitham AL-SHUKAIRI / AFP) (Photo by HAITHAM AL-SHUKAIRI/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images It was a busy Wednesday around Real Madrid, with several stories emerging that did not quite warrant standalone coverage. Yan Diomande has opened up about his journey from Abidjan to the Bernabéu, a French investigation reportedly uncovered an alleged plot targeting Kylian Mbappé, Sergio Martínez trained with the first team, while Robert Lewandowski, Scott McTominay, Fernando Morientes and Daniel ‘Toro’ Aquino have all spoken about Madrid.Here is the September 2 Real Madrid news roundup.Diomande: Joining Real Madrid is fulfilling a childhood dreamYan Diomande has reflected on the remarkable journey that ultimately brought him to Real Madrid.Speaking in an interview with Red Bull Athlete, the 19-year-old traced his development back to playing football as a child in Abidjan, where formal facilities mattered considerably less than simply finding somewhere to play.“Growing up in Abidjan meant that football was everything. We played on any surface we could find, without proper boots or a suitable pitch, just for the love of the game,” Diomande said. “That hunger and joy never left me; they remain the foundation of how I play today.”Diomande eventually moved to the United States and DME Academy in Florida, where interest from European clubs began to make his ambitions feel more attainable.“It was always the dream, but it started to seem real when I was at the DME Academy in Florida and European scouts began to notice me. It was difficult; at first, I couldn’t communicate with anyone, and everything was different. But soccer was my language, and my teammates helped me find my place on and off the field.”His subsequent move to RB Leipzig accelerated that development. Diomande singled out winning the Bundesliga Rookie of the Year award as an important validation of the sacrifices he and his family had made.“Winning the Bundesliga Rookie of the Year award in my first full season. It was proof that all the sacrifices my family and I made were worthwhile. Leipzig taught me to compete at the highest level week after week, and the coaching staff demanded I improve every detail of my game. That season gave me the confidence and mentality I’ll need at Real Madrid.”Now at the Bernabéu, Diomande is living the ambition that drove his career in the first place.“It’s fulfilling a childhood dream, it’s everything I’ve worked for. I’m eager to write my chapter at this club and contribute to its success. Representing my country on the world stage taught me that the biggest stage demands the utmost composure: you have to trust in your preparation. And off the