Luis Diaz is living the dream right now.Arriving halfway through a season at Liverpool that could well be remembered for decades to come, Diaz has slotted into Jurgen Klopp's system as though he was born to do so.Even world-class players like Andrew Robertson and Fabinho were eased into the team when they first arrived at Anfield, but Diaz has made an instant impact in the famous red jersey.
Diaz thriving at Liverpool
Having already lifted the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, the 25-year-old has something of a Midas touch on Merseyside and has even chipped in with six goals and four assists for good measure.
Marry that to generally looking an absolute world-beater on the left wing - allowing Sadio Mane to thrive more centrally - and it's fair to say that the Colombian star has the world at his feet.
All in all, it makes for a stunning success story regardless of Liverpool's result in the Champions League final because Diaz has come so, so far to reach this stage from humble beginnings.
Diaz's journey to the top
According to the BBC, Diaz grew up in one of Colombia's most neglected regions, La Guajira, where 4,770 Wayuu children tragically died of malnutrition between 2008 and 2016.
One of Diaz's earliest coaches even remarked how underweight the future Liverpool star looked when they met in 2015, remarking that the youngster "seemed to have malnutrition problems."
The hardships that Diaz has had to overcome in his life really are unfathomable and to think that he's made it all the way to a Champions League final through it all is nothing short of inspirational.
And nobody is prouder of the Reds winger than the people of his birth town, Barrancas, where the house of the Diaz-Brito family stands adorned with graffiti of him playing for Colombia.
Soccer Football - FA Cup - Final - Chelsea v Liverpool - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - May 14, 2022 Liverpool's Luis Diaz celebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Cup final REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Diaz's family following his journey
Ahead of the Champions League final, CNN ran a brilliant feature on Diaz from Barrancas where they chatted with everyone from his family members to former coaches about his incredible success.
From the memorabilia-adorned rooms of the family house to the dusty pitch where Diaz honed his skills, it couldn't have been any clearer just how proud the town was of Liverpool's new superstar.
And it was truly beautiful to see how everybody had their own story about growing up with the former FC Porto hero, including a remarkable anecdote about him scoring 17 goals in one game.
Truly heartwarming footage of Liverpool's FA Cup triumph was also captured as Diaz's loved ones watched on as he dropped a scintillating performance to lift even more silverware with the Reds.
However, trust us when we say that we can't do CNN's superb reporting justice with words alone, so be sure to check out how they captured the love for Diaz in his home town down below:
That, ladies and gentlemen, is what football's all about.
Take a bow, Luis
Every successful person has their own unique journey to the top and everybody faces their own hardships along the way, but you can't help hearing stories like Diaz's and feeling particularly moved.
To grow up in a place where children struggled to even eat a healthy diet and rise to become one of the most exciting footballers in the world shines as evidence that dreams really do come true.
Liverpool are TOO GOOD for Real Madrid! (Football Terrace)
And to see those who mean the most to Diaz sharing his success with him back in Colombia just goes to show that any success story is one built by the collective effort of caring and loving others.
If Diaz can now go on to win the Champions League, then that puts the cherry on top, but what he's achieved already transcends silverware: it's pure gold.
