Manchester City assistant manager Mikel Arteta admits losing Brahim Diaz midseason was a personal blow.
Arteta worked closely with the midfielder at City before he chose to quit in January for Real Madrid.
"It hurt me a lot," recalled Arteta to Marca.
"He has a huge talent, a lot of personality. And he loves football, he only lives for that."
Diaz left City insisting he felt he had a better chance of regular first team football at Real.