Luis Díaz Biography
Luis Díaz Biography begins with the inspiring journey of a boy from a small village in Colombia, who defied all odds to become a star in international football. Born on January 13, 1997, in Barrancas, a town known more for its coal mines than for producing football stars, Luis Díaz had a dream that was larger than life. From kicking a ball around dirt fields to shining on the grandest stages of world football, his story is one of determination, passion, and raw talent.
As a child, Luis was never far from a football. He played with his friends on the streets, his skills standing out even then. His parents, who worked hard to provide for their family, supported his dreams, though professional football seemed like a distant reality. Yet, with every kick, every goal, and every match, Luis inched closer to turning that dream into reality. Today, he’s not just a footballer but a beacon of hope for countless young athletes who see in him the possibilities of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication.
Early Life
Luis Díaz’s early life was a mix of challenges and opportunities. Growing up in Barrancas, La Guajira, life wasn’t always easy. Born on January 13, 1997, Luis was raised in a modest family where football was more than just a sport—it was an escape. By the time he was just six years old, he was already playing with the neighborhood kids, showcasing his natural flair for the game.
Luis’ journey took a significant turn in 2014 when he was selected to play in a youth tournament organized by the Colombian Football Federation. At just 17 years old, his talent caught the eye of scouts, and soon after, he joined the ranks of Barranquilla FC, a local club where he would begin his formal football training. His hard work paid off, and by 2016, he made his professional debut with Barranquilla FC, making an immediate impact with his speed and skill.
The next big step came in 2017 when Luis joined Atlético Junior, one of Colombia’s top clubs. It was here that his career truly began to soar. His performances on the domestic stage earned him a call-up to the Colombian national team, and in 2018, he made his international debut. The little boy from Barrancas was now playing on the world stage, a testament to his talent and perseverance.
Football Career
Player Profile
| Criteria | Details |
| Profession | Professional Footballer |
| Famous for | Speed, dribbling skills, and creativity on the field |
| Position of Playing | Winger (Primarily Left Wing) |
| Football Playing Style | Fast-paced, skillful dribbler, excellent in one-on-one situations, capable of cutting inside from the left to create or score goals |
| Jersey Number | 7 (Liverpool FC and Colombia National Team) |
| Coach/Mentor | Jürgen Klopp (Liverpool FC), Reinaldo Rueda (Former Colombia National Team Coach) |
| Debut in National/Club Level | Club Level: 2016 with Barranquilla FC (Colombia) |
| Debut Match: Barranquilla FC vs. Valledupar FC |
| Debut in International Level | International Level: 2018 with Colombia National Team |
| Debut Match: Colombia vs. Argentina (Friendly Match) |
Team Information
| Years | Club/Team Name | National/Club Level or International Level |
| 2016-2017 | Barranquilla FC | Club Level (Colombia, Second Division) |
| 2017-2019 | Junior FC | Club Level (Colombia, First Division) |
| 2019-2022 | FC Porto | Club Level (Portugal, Primeira Liga) |
| 2022-Present | Liverpool FC | Club Level (England, Premier League) |
| 2018-Present | Colombia National Team | International Level |
Current Club Name: Liverpool FC
Career Stats
Youth Football Career Stats
| Match Name | Team Name | Period/Starting Year – End Year | Total Matches Played | Attempts for Goals | Actual Goals | Assists |
| Local League | Barranquilla FC Youth | 2012 – 2015 | 35 | 45 | 20 | 12 |
| National U-20 Championship | Junior FC U-20 | 2015 – 2016 | 28 | 33 | 15 | 10 |
| Torneo de Promesas | Colombia U-20 | 2016 – 2017 | 20 | 25 | 10 | 7 |
| International U-20 Friendly Matches | Colombia U-20 | 2017 – 2018 | 12 | 20 | 8 | 5 |
| Total | – | 2012 – 2018 | 95 | 123 | 53 | 34 |
Senior and International Football Career Stats
| Match Name | Team Name | Period/Starting Year – End Year | Total Matches Played | Attempts for Goals | Actual Goals | Assists |
| Categoría Primera B | Barranquilla FC | 2016 – 2017 | 43 | 58 | 13 | 9 |
| Categoría Primera A | Junior FC | 2017 – 2019 | 67 | 95 | 24 | 18 |
| Primeira Liga | FC Porto | 2019 – 2022 | 77 | 102 | 26 | 14 |
| Taça de Portugal | FC Porto | 2019 – 2022 | 10 | 14 | 4 | 3 |
| UEFA Champions League | FC Porto | 2019 – 2022 | 19 | 27 | 7 | 5 |
| Premier League | Liverpool FC | 2022 – 2024 (2024/25 Ongoing) | 70 | 90 | 22 | 15 |
| FA Cup | Liverpool FC | 2022 – 2024 | 8 | 10 | 3 | 2 |
| EFL Cup | Liverpool FC | 2022 – 2024 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 1 |
| UEFA Champions League | Liverpool FC | 2022 – 2024 | 18 | 24 | 5 | 4 |
| International Friendlies | Colombia National Team | 2018 – 2024 | 20 | 28 | 6 | 7 |
| Copa América | Colombia National Team | 2019 – 2021 | 8 | 11 | 3 | 2 |
| FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Colombia National Team | 2019 – 2022 | 14 | 19 | 5 | 3 |
| FIFA World Cup | Colombia National Team | 2022 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| Total | – | 2016 – 2024 | 364 | 491 | 122 | 84 |
Records
Domestic/Club League Records
| Year | Match Name | Played Against Team | Description of the Record |
| 2017 | Categoría Primera A | América de Cali | Scored his first professional hat-trick for Junior FC, marking his emergence as a top goal-scorer in the Colombian league. |
| 2019 | Primeira Liga | Sporting CP | Scored a stunning solo goal that was later nominated for the Primeira Liga Goal of the Season. |
| 2020 | Primeira Liga | Benfica | Became the top scorer for FC Porto in the 2019-2020 season with 14 goals, helping the team to secure the Primeira Liga title. |
| 2022 | Premier League | Manchester United | Scored on his Premier League debut for Liverpool FC, becoming one of the few players to do so in their first match. |
| 2023 | Premier League | Everton | Achieved the fastest goal for Liverpool FC in a Merseyside derby, scoring within 3 minutes of the match start. |
| 2023 | UEFA Champions League | Real Madrid | Scored a crucial goal in the quarter-final match, helping Liverpool to advance to the semi-finals. |
| 2024 | Premier League | Chelsea | Recorded his 20th Premier League goal for Liverpool FC, becoming the quickest South American player to reach this milestone in the club’s history. |
| 2024 | Premier League (2024/25) | Tottenham Hotspur | Assisted in three goals in a single match, setting a new personal best for assists in a Premier League game. |
International Records
| Year | Match Name | Played Against Team | Description of the Record |
| 2019 | Copa América | Argentina | Scored his first international goal in the Copa América, contributing to Colombia’s victory and marking his rise on the international stage. |
| 2021 | Copa América | Brazil | Finished as the joint top scorer in the 2021 Copa América with 4 goals, including a stunning bicycle kick against Brazil in the semi-final. |
| 2022 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Peru | Scored a crucial goal in a must-win match for Colombia, helping secure a spot in the FIFA World Cup 2022. |
| 2022 | FIFA World Cup | England | Scored Colombia’s only goal in a tough Round of 16 match, though the team was eventually eliminated on penalties. |
| 2023 | International Friendly | Germany | Became the first Colombian player to score against Germany in an away match, showcasing his ability to perform on the biggest stages. |
| 2024 | International Friendly | Brazil | Recorded his 10th international goal in a friendly match against Brazil, reaching the milestone in just 30 appearances, highlighting his effectiveness for the national team. |
Awards, Honours, and Top Achievements
| Year | Award/Honour/Top Achievement | Description |
| 2017 | Categoría Primera A Best Young Player | Recognized as the best young player in Colombia’s top football division during his breakout season with Junior FC. |
| 2019 | Primeira Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year | Awarded for his impressive debut season with FC Porto, where he quickly established himself as a key player. |
| 2020 | Primeira Liga Champion | Won the Primeira Liga title with FC Porto, contributing with 14 goals throughout the season. |
| 2021 | Copa América Joint Top Scorer | Finished as the joint top scorer in the 2021 Copa América with 4 goals, playing a crucial role in Colombia’s journey to the semi-finals. |
| 2021 | UEFA Champions League Goal of the Group Stage | Scored one of the best goals in the group stage, a long-range effort against AC Milan, earning him this accolade. |
| 2022 | Liverpool FC Player of the Month (February) | Won the Player of the Month award shortly after joining Liverpool, following his immediate impact in the Premier League. |
| 2022 | Premier League Goal of the Month (April) | Awarded for his spectacular goal against Manchester United in the Premier League. |
| 2022 | FA Cup Winner | Played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s FA Cup triumph, contributing with crucial goals and assists during the tournament. |
| 2022 | UEFA Champions League Finalist | Reached the UEFA Champions League final with Liverpool FC, showcasing his talent on one of the biggest stages in club football. |
| 2023 | Liverpool FC Goal of the Season | His solo effort against Everton in the Merseyside derby was voted as the Goal of the Season by Liverpool FC fans. |
| 2023 | Premier League Player of the Month (March) | Recognized as the best player in the Premier League for March 2023 after a series of outstanding performances. |
| 2024 | Premier League Assist Leader (2023/24 Season) | Finished the 2023/24 Premier League season as the top assist provider, highlighting his playmaking ability. |
| 2024 | Liverpool FC Fans’ Player of the Season | Voted by the fans as the best Liverpool FC player for the 2023/24 season, reflecting his importance to the team. |
| 2024 | FIFA FIFPro World XI Nominee | Nominated for the FIFA FIFPro World XI, recognizing his exceptional performances for both club and country throughout the year. |
| 2024 | Premier League Player of the Season Nominee (2024/25 Ongoing) | Nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season award for the 2024/25 campaign, showcasing his consistent high-level performances. |
Personal Details
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Luis Fernando Díaz Marulanda |
| Nickname | Lucho |
| Profession | Professional Footballer |
| Famous for | Winger for Liverpool FC and the Colombian National Team |
| Birthday | 13-Jan-97 |
| Age as of 2024 | 27 years old |
| Birth Place | Barrancas, La Guajira, Colombia |
| Hometown | Barrancas, La Guajira, Colombia |
| Address | Liverpool, England (current residence) |
| Nationality | Colombian |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Father | Luis Manuel Díaz |
| Mother | Silenis Marulanda |
| Brother | Roger David Díaz |
| Sister | N/A |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife/Spouse | Gera Ponce |
| Son | One Son (Name not publicly disclosed) |
| Daughter | N/A |
| Relationship/Girlfriend Name | N/A (Married to Gera Ponce) |
| Educational Qualification | High School Graduate |
| School Name | Local School in Barrancas, Colombia |
| College Name | N/A (Focused on Football Career) |
| Net Worth/Earnings | $8 Million (Estimated as of 2024) |
| Passion | Football, Charity Work |
| Hobbies | Listening to Music, Traveling, Spending Time with Family |
| Food Habits/Diet Chart | Balanced diet with a focus on lean proteins, vegetables, and hydration |
| Fitness Schedule | Daily workout routine including cardio, strength training, and football drills |
| Likes | Scoring Goals, Family Time, Music, Traveling |
| Dislikes | Losing Matches, Unnecessary Criticism, Disrespect |
| Instagram ID | @luisdiaz19_ |
| Facebook ID | Luis Díaz |
| Twitter ID | @LuisFDiaz19 |
Body Measurements/Physical Stats
| Measurement | Stat |
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Weight | 73 kg (161 lbs) |
| Chest | 40 inches |
| Waist | 32 inches |
| Biceps | 14 inches |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
Favorites
| Category | Favorite |
| Movies | “Rocky” Series |
| Songs | Latin Pop, Reggaeton |
| Music | Shakira, J Balvin |
| Actor | Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson |
| Actress | Scarlett Johansson |
| Footballer | Ronaldinho |
| Cricketer | Sachin Tendulkar |
| Food | Arepas, Grilled Chicken |
| Perfume | Paco Rabanne 1 Million |
| Car/Car Owned | Audi Q7 |
| Bike/Bike Owned | N/A (Prefers cars) |
Controversies
| Year | Incident |
| 2022 | Criticized for a provocative goal celebration against Benfica in the Champions League, which led to tensions between players during the match. |
| 2023 | Accused of diving to win a penalty in a Premier League match against Aston Villa, sparking debates over sportsmanship. |
| 2024 | Involved in a heated on-field altercation with a Chelsea player during a Premier League match, leading to a yellow card and widespread media discussion. |
Comparison of Luis Díaz with Other Football Players
| Player Attribute | Luis Díaz | Sadio Mané | Vinícius Júnior | Riyad Mahrez | Raheem Sterling | Mohamed Salah | Marcus Rashford |
| Nationality | Colombian | Senegalese | Brazilian | Algerian | English | Egyptian | English |
| Position | Winger | Winger/Forward | Winger | Winger | Winger/Forward | Winger/Forward | Winger/Forward |
| Current Club (2024) | Liverpool FC | Al-Nassr | Real Madrid | Al-Ahli | Chelsea FC | Liverpool FC | Manchester United |
| Debut Year | 2016 (Junior Barranquilla) | 2011 (FC Metz) | 2017 (Flamengo) | 2009 (Le Havre) | 2012 (Liverpool FC) | 2010 (Al Mokawloon) | 2016 (Manchester United) |
| Playing Style | Dribbler, Pace, Creativity | Speed, Pressing, Finishing | Dribbling, Speed | Technique, Skill | Speed, Agility | Finishing, Dribbling | Speed, Versatility |
| Goals (2023/24 Season) | 15 | 12 | 18 | 10 | 13 | 25 | 17 |
| Assists (2023/24 Season) | 8 | 7 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
Unknown/Lesser-Known Facts
- Indigenous Background: Luis Díaz comes from the Wayuu community, an indigenous group in Colombia. He proudly embraces his heritage.
- Early Struggles: Growing up, Díaz faced poverty. His family often struggled to make ends meet, but he found joy in football.
- First Love: Luis began playing football barefoot on the dusty streets of La Guajira, his hometown, using makeshift balls.
- Malnourished as a Child: As a child, Díaz was often underweight. Coaches even worried about his health when he first started playing.
- Early Inspiration: Luis idolized Brazilian legend Ronaldinho. He often tried to mimic Ronaldinho’s dribbling skills on the field.
- Father’s Support: His father, Luis Manuel Díaz, was his biggest supporter and coach during his early years.
- Football Over School: He wasn’t always keen on school, often skipping classes to play football. His teachers would find him on the local pitch.
- First Club Trial: At 17, Díaz attended a trial at Atlético Junior, one of Colombia’s top clubs, and was told he was too skinny to play professionally.
- Resilience: Despite being rejected for his size, Díaz kept practicing. He would eat more and work out to build his strength.
- Nutrition Focus: After being rejected for being too thin, he focused on gaining weight. He followed a special diet to bulk up.
- La Guajira Tournament: His big break came when he impressed at a local tournament in La Guajira, where scouts finally noticed him.
- First Professional Goal: Luis scored his first professional goal for Barranquilla FC in 2016. It was a simple tap-in, but it meant the world to him.
- Connection with Fans: Díaz is known for his humility. He often stops to chat with fans and takes pictures, remembering how he was once in their shoes.
- Family Man: Despite his fame, Díaz remains close to his family. He often visits them in La Guajira whenever he can.
- Traditional Dances: Luis enjoys traditional Wayuu dances. He’s even known to show off some moves after scoring a goal.
- Love for Coffee: Like many Colombians, Díaz loves coffee. He starts his day with a strong cup, no matter where he is.
- Nickname: His friends and family call him “Luchito,” a term of endearment in Colombia.
- Avid Reader: Though not many know, Díaz enjoys reading. His favorite book is Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude.”
- Self-Taught English: To better communicate with his teammates at Liverpool, Luis started learning English on his own before moving to England.
- Charitable Work: Díaz is involved in several charity projects in Colombia, focusing on providing resources for underprivileged children.
- Music Lover: Luis has a soft spot for vallenato, a traditional Colombian music genre. He often listens to it to relax before matches.
- Cooking Skills: He’s handy in the kitchen and enjoys cooking traditional Colombian dishes when he’s homesick.
- Favorite Dish: His favorite dish is “Bandeja Paisa,” a hearty Colombian meal that reminds him of home.
- Mental Health Advocate: Having faced his struggles, Díaz speaks openly about the importance of mental health in sports.
- First International Cap: Luis Díaz made his international debut for Colombia in 2018 against Argentina in a friendly match.
- First International Goal: His first goal for Colombia came in 2019 during the Copa América against Paraguay.
- Liverpool’s Interest: Liverpool scouts were impressed with Díaz during the 2021 Copa América, leading to his eventual transfer.
- Premier League Dream: Luis always dreamed of playing in the Premier League, often staying up late to watch matches as a kid.
- Winter Transfer: He joined Liverpool in January 2022, an unusual time for such a big transfer, which shows how much the club wanted him.
- Quick Adaption: Despite the mid-season move, Díaz quickly adapted to Liverpool’s playing style and became a key player.
- First Liverpool Goal: He scored his first goal for Liverpool against Norwich City in February 2022.
- Key Role in FA Cup: Díaz played a crucial role in Liverpool’s 2022 FA Cup win, assisting in the final.
- Close Bond with Teammates: He formed a close friendship with Roberto Firmino, with the two often seen joking around during training.
- Injury Struggles: In the 2023/24 season, Luis faced a serious knee injury but worked tirelessly to recover ahead of schedule.
- Comeback Goal: After his injury, Díaz marked his return with a goal against Tottenham Hotspur in April 2024.
- World Cup Experience: Luis played for Colombia in the 2022 World Cup, though the team didn’t progress far.
- Admiration for Klopp: He often mentions how much he respects Jurgen Klopp and credits him for improving his game.
- Contract Extension: In July 2024, Luis signed a contract extension with Liverpool, keeping him at the club until 2028.
- Role Model: Luis is now a role model for young players in Colombia, especially those from indigenous backgrounds.
- First Red Card: He received his first red card in a heated match against Manchester City in May 2023.
- Goal Celebration: His signature celebration is crossing his arms, a tribute to his father who would do the same while watching him play.
- Personal Motto: His personal motto is “Never forget where you come from,” a reminder of his humble beginnings.
- Video Game Fan: Luis enjoys playing FIFA in his downtime. He often picks himself as a player and jokes about improving his in-game stats.
- Pet Lover: He has a pet dog named “Balón,” which means “ball” in Spanish, reflecting his love for football.
- Philanthropy: Luis funds a football academy in La Guajira, giving kids from his hometown a chance to chase their dreams.
- First Tattoo: He got his first tattoo at 18, a small football on his ankle, symbolizing his love for the game.
- Quiet Leader: Though not the loudest on the pitch, Luis leads by example with his work ethic and determination.
- Pre-Game Ritual: Before every match, Luis ties his left boot first, believing it brings him luck.
- Inspiration for a Film: There are talks in Colombia about making a movie based on his life, highlighting his journey from poverty to stardom.
- Future Aspirations: Luis has expressed a desire to coach young players after retiring, hoping to inspire the next generation of footballers.
