On Sunday evening, Brahim Diaz experienced his first Africa Cup of Nations final, a moment that quickly turned painful. The Real Madrid midfielder missed a decisive Panenka penalty against Edouard Mendy late in the match, before Pape Gueye sealed Senegal’s victory.
Since then, the 26-year-old has faced a wave of criticism, with many pointing to that failed attempt as a turning point of the final. Despite the disappointment, Diaz can count on strong backing from his home country.
This Tuesday, Marca relayed comments from Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, who publicly came to the player’s defense. Akhannouch described Diaz as the “revelation” of the AFCON, praising both his performances and his commitment to Morocco.
“I have a special message for Brahim Diaz, because I saw how affected he was. He was the revelation of this tournament and its top scorer. He chose to join the national team and wear the Moroccan jersey. You have not only joined the national team, you have entered the hearts of all Moroccans,” he said, before also congratulating the Atlas Lions for their fighting spirit and collective effort throughout the competition.