Diarra eager for Madrid future

Mali international midfielder Mahamadou Diarra is desperate to try and make his name with Real Madrid, having been linked with a summer move away from the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 29-year-old former Lyon schemer joined Real in the summer of 2006, but has struggled to hold down a regular starting spot for most of his time in the Spanish capital.

Diarra told Marca:"I do not want to leave Real Madrid without having won the Champions League. This is my challenge and I want to stay here and do that.

"I want to work with Jose Mourinho and to show him that I am worthy of a starting place.

"For me he is a coach with the same mentality as Fabio Capello and he was good for me when he was at Real.

"Mourinho is a winner and perhaps we needed to have him on the bench this season.

"I intend to stay at Real and this is a big test. I am focused on playing for Mourinho and bringing success back to this club."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email