Luis Díaz (28, Liverpool) became the center of controversy as he intensified pressure on the club right after attending a memorial mass for his teammate DIO.
Díaz made an appearance at the '7th memorial mass' held at the Gondomar parish church in Portugal. He silently mourned the deceased with a somber expression, but fans had already turned their backs.
On the day of the funeral, he attended a party hosted by YouTubers in Barranquilla, Colombia, where he was seen smiling and dancing, leading to fierce criticism.
Compared to DIO’s loyalty, having lent his home to Díaz while his father was kidnapped and supported him with a uniform ceremony, Díaz's actions could not escape criticism of 'betrayal.'
Liverpool club permanently retired DIO's number 20 jersey and has made arrangements to transfer the remaining salary of approximately 27.2 billion won to the family, honoring him in the best possible way.
On the other hand, Díaz attended the memorial mass a week later and showed tears, but the majority of fans reacted that it was 'too late.' Even players like Alisson, who had difficulty traveling long distances, attended the mass, further diminishing the credibility of Díaz's actions.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Díaz increased pressure on Liverpool by demanding a salary increase or a transfer allowance. He ranks 16th in salary within the team and has attracted interest from major European clubs like Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Díaz's side said, 'This summer could be the last major contract of my career,' and issued an ultimatum to the club to choose between a contract renewal or allowing a transfer.
In fact, Bayern Munich and Barcelona have officially expressed their interest, and Liverpool is seeking transfer fees of over 80 million euros (approximately 116 billion won).
Especially with DIO's death resulting in the cancellation of Liverpool's preseason schedule, Díaz has secured more time for negotiations with the club. He maintains the position that if a contract renewal is difficult, he wants to be allowed to transfer.
Officially, Liverpool has stated there is no intention to sell, but internally there is an atmosphere that could consider a sale if a massive offer comes in.
Díaz's actions have further created a chill in the opinions of both fans and those within the club. Before the loyalty controversy with DIO could subside, his firm stance towards the club is being criticized for prioritizing 'individual over team.'
After the memorial mass, the criticism is expected to continue unabated. Attention in the football world is focused on whether Díaz will remain at Liverpool to restore his dignity or choose to transfer to a major European club for a new challenge.
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