Brahim Díaz had been the shining star of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for Morocco, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals and carrying the hosts to a dream final on home soil.
The Real Madrid forward had publicly embraced his new national team, expressing pride and gratitude for the support he received from Moroccan fans and his belief in making history with the Atlas Lions.
Throughout the competition, he formed a close bond with supporters who saw in him not only a world-class player, but a symbol of their nation’s long-held ambition for continental glory.
The crescendo of Morocco’s journey came in the final against Senegal, a match marked by chaos, controversy, and drama. After VAR awarded a late contentious penalty, Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch in protest, creating a long delay before play resumed.
When Díaz stepped up in stoppage time, he attempted a Panenka effort — a delicate chip down the centre — only to see Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy catch it with ease, leaving the Moroccan crowd stunned. Senegal went on to score in extra time and take the title, extending Morocco’s wait for their first AFCON crown since 1976.
In his emotional Instagram message, Díaz captured the raw human cost of that moment. He said “My soul hurts” and acknowledged how much the love and support of the fans had meant to him — how it made him feel he was never alone in pursuit of the title.
He took full responsibility for the miss, apologised sincerely, and conceded the wound would not heal easily. Yet even in heartbreak, his resolve shines: he promised to keep going, not for himself, but for those who believed in him, holding onto the hope that one day he can repay that love and make his Moroccan people proud.
In his message to his teammates, fans and the Moroccan people, Brahim wrote;
"My soul hurts. I dreamed of this title thanks to all the love you have given me, to every message, to every sign of support that made me feel that I was not alone. I fought with everything I had, with my heart above all else."
"Yesterday I failed and I take full responsibility and I apologise with all my heart."
"It will be difficult for me to recover, because this wound does not heal easily, but I will try. Not for me, but for all those who believed in me and for all those who suffered with me."
"I will keep going until one day I can return all this love and be the pride for my Moroccan people."
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