Morocco star Brahim Díaz has issued a heartfelt apology following his missed penalty in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Senegal.
The highly anticipated final remained goalless deep into stoppage time when Morocco were handed a lifeline after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review awarded them a penalty.
With the chance to seal victory at the death, Díaz stepped up, but his audacious chipped effort from the spot was brilliantly saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.
The miss turned the tide of the contest, and Senegal went on to capitalise in extra time, eventually securing victory to lift the AFCON 2025 trophy, while Morocco were left to rue what might have been.
In the aftermath of the defeat, the Real Madrid midfielder took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to express his deep regret and accept full responsibility for the miss.
Díaz admitted the moment would be difficult to overcome but pledged to keep pushing forward for the sake of his supporters and his country.
“Yesterday I failed, and I take full responsibility and apologise with all my heart,” Díaz wrote.
“It will be hard for me to recover because this wound does not heal easily, but I will try.
“Not for myself, but for all who believed in me and for all who suffered with me.
“I will keep going until someday I can give back all this love and be a pride for my Moroccan people.”
Despite the disappointment, Díaz’s message has drawn widespread support from fans and teammates alike, many praising his courage in stepping up during such a high-pressure moment and his maturity in owning the outcome.
Morocco’s campaign at AFCON 2025 was otherwise impressive, marked by disciplined performances and attacking flair, with Díaz playing a key role throughout the tournament.
While the penalty miss will remain a painful memory, the midfielder’s resolve and commitment suggest he remains determined to turn the setback into motivation as he looks ahead to future international and club challenges.