Brahim Diaz don turn from AFCON final villain to World Cup hero, and di story sweet like pure honey. Di Real Madrid star wey bin miss di crucial penalty for 2025 AFCON final against Senegal don bounce back strong for 2026 World Cup, wey dey hold for USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Di Morocco attacking midfielder bin dey di tournament’s outstanding player for di AFCON wey dem host for Morocco, with five goals. But e go down for infamy when e try Panenka penalty wey Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy catch like basket. Di miss cause Morocco to lose 2-1 for extra time, and di criticism come thick and fast.
Because Diaz bin born for Spain and represent Spain for youth level, some fans call am outsider. Di Uber driver wey carry di journalist go airport di next day even talk say e no want see Diaz wear Morocco shirt again. But Diaz no run away. E keep dey step forward, reaffirm e commitment to di Atlas Lions.
Now, for di World Cup quarterfinal against France, Diaz don become di key creative force for Morocco. E get four assists for five matches, only behind France’s Michael Olise for assists. Di humility wey e show for press conference dey sweet: “I want another assist, but di most important na di team. I no mind if somebody else score or get assist.”
Di press conference get small drama too. Two journalists start to fight for di media area, and Diaz face show shock wey go viral. E laugh after di matter settle, but e forget di question wey dem ask am.
Diaz versus France na big test. E go face Real Madrid teammates Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni. “Dem be my teammates for Real Madrid. Brilliant players, brilliant people, but tomorrow we be rivals,” Diaz talk.
Di Morocco side wey reach semifinal for 2022 Qatar World Cup don evolve under coach Mohamed Ouahbi. Diaz dey central to di new style, wey dey technical and tactical. E dey help Morocco impose demself on top sides instead of dey reactive.
Di redemption arc dey almost complete. If Morocco fit beat France, Diaz go cement e place as hero wey rise from di lowest point any Moroccan player don experience.
