Before the press conference began, an emotional video of Dioni was played in the Juan Cortés room featuring some of his best moments at Málaga CF. “It seems like it was just yesterday when I signed for Málaga. It was short, but intense. Very beautiful. I fulfilled the dream of playing for my hometown team. I'm very proud to have played for Málaga CF. Thanks to the club, to everyone; they've been lovely to me and treated me very well. It's been wonderful. Thanks to the fans, to my family, my wife, my children. Thanks to everyone,” said the Málaga striker before answering questions from the press.
Moments
“The day I signed with Málaga is etched in my memory. The unique moment of my career is the game in Tarragona. Those moments when you saw it slipping away, and you thought, 'I have to try,' and in the end, you achieve it. Those days of celebration will stay in your memory forever. They'll always be in your mind.”
“There are beautiful moments and not so beautiful ones. I'm from here, from Málaga, and I'm experiencing it in an incredible way. These are moments, and you learn from everything. The important thing is that all the goals have been achieved, and I'm happy with that.”
Holidays
“I've got football for a while, I don't know how long. I'm in the market to find another place, one where my family will be happy. We'll see how things go. Let's enjoy the holidays, it's been two years almost nonstop. I need that time off and to unwind a bit.”
Club project
“I knew it was a project for young people. In the end, I didn't play that much, I wanted to (continue), but this is football. These things happen. Young people come through the youth academy and are doing well. You have to be happy because it happened. Nothing negative, I was here for two years and I enjoyed it. I just want to say thank you.”
Málaga CF
“Return to the First Division? Hopefully as soon as possible. Things are being done well. By relegating to the Primera RFEF, a beautiful project emerged, with young players from the youth academy. The fans and the players have bonded. It's important to work together, the road is tough, difficult, but in football, anything is possible.”
Rising homegrown players
“I've always said from the first moment I arrived, it's much less noticeable, if not at all, at Málaga. The kids are coming on strong and the level is very high. It's important, a lot of young people are emerging, and Málaga has one of the best youth ranks in Spain.”
Grateful
“I've worked hard to stay at the club. I was on the right track for it to happen, but that's football, and not everything is what you want. I'm happy with what's happened. I'm grateful for the opportunity, and now I'll be watching from the sidelines, in the stands, or on TV.”