Former Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes is backing Mariano Diaz for success after his return.

Mariano joined Madrid last week after being re-signed from Lyon.

"Mariano is a traditional 9, finisher, the player that Real Madrid needed," Morientes said.

"He is very complete and very good, he's going to have minutes. (Karim) Benzema is a '10' who moves in the middle, but Madrid didn't have the type of pure central striker that can reminds me of my time. He is the player in the area that doesn't forgive."

Morientes, who played for Monaco and Olympique Marseille during his career, said "they say that he played in the French league trying to detract him his value, but the French league is where the young players are being developed in Europe."