Luis Diaz has made a significant impression at Liverpool and is poised to start in the upcoming Champions League final. However, his journey almost saw him overlooked as an underweight teenager from an economically challenged region of Colombia.

Jurgen Klopp’s comments on Luis Diaz, shortly after his £49m transfer to Liverpool from Porto in January, resonated deeply in Colombia, thousands of miles away.

Liverpool had meticulously scouted Diaz for a considerable period, as Klopp affirmed, but the true depth of his resilience is best understood by the coaches who guided his initial steps toward success.

At just 25, Diaz has made a remarkable impact at Liverpool. “He looks like he’s been here for years,” remarked Carlos Paniagua, who coached him during Colombia’s U20s, speaking to Sky Sports.

Yet, not long ago, this trajectory seemed improbable. At 18, Diaz wasn’t associated with any professional club. Hailing from La Guajira, one of Colombia’s most marginalized regions, and a member of the Wayuu indigenous community grappling with poverty and malnutrition, the odds were stacked against him.

“Very few players emerge from that region, which makes his journey exceptional,” explained Paniagua. “He’s an indigenous boy discovered by Atletico Junior, now a jewel in Colombian football and a source of immense pride.”

His breakthrough occurred at a massive open trials event organized by Atletico Junior in Barranquilla in early 2015. Among 3,000 hopefuls from the Caribbean region of Colombia, Diaz caught the eye, despite initial appearances.

“He didn’t stand out at first glance, which is why he hadn’t been noticed before,” recalled Octavio Rivera, Junior’s former youth football director. “This is a common story for many young players in Colombia, lacking the necessary conditions for development due to nutritional deficiencies and financial constraints.”

However, Diaz’s exceptional stamina, energy, dribbling prowess, speed, and character shone through, prompting Juan Carlos Cantillo, a scout for the club, to highlight his potential.

“Despite his slender frame, Lucho displayed attributes unlike anyone else,” Rivera continued. “He excelled with his dribbling skills, feints, and remarkable speed, making an indelible impression.”

Fernel Diaz, one of his early coaches at Junior’s youth teams, was similarly struck by his potential and determination.