Support for Brahim Díaz Following AFCON Penalty Miss

Paris Saint-Germain’s coach, Luis Enrique, defended Brahim Díaz, stating he is “neither an assassin nor a bad person” after Díaz’s missed penalty cost Morocco the Africa Cup of Nations title against Senegal.

Díaz’s penalty, which could have clinched the championship for Morocco, was delayed by Senegal’s protests for 17 minutes. Ultimately, the Real Madrid forward attempted a panenka-style kick, which landed directly in the arms of goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.

Acknowledging the unusual nature of Díaz’s penalty, Luis Enrique remarked during a PSG press conference: “It’s understandable that this is hard for him to accept, and it was indeed a bizarre moment. However, this is just a sport, nothing more. What truly matters is the message we convey to young athletes. He is not a villain, and we must recognize the immense pressure young players face.”

Following Díaz’s penalty miss, Senegal secured a 1-0 victory with a goal from Pape Gueye in extra time during the final held in Rabat, Morocco’s capital.

Luis Enrique addressed the incident with his players, reminding them that Díaz is not the first athlete to attempt a panenka penalty in a high-stakes match. He recalled that notable players such as Zinedine Zidane and Sergio Ramos had similarly attempted such penalties in crucial games.

He expressed his sympathy for Díaz, a player he has watched closely. Diaz, who previously represented Spain at youth levels, was given his debut by Luis Enrique in a friendly match against Lithuania in 2021 before opting to represent Morocco.

“He is an exceptional player and a wonderful person,” Luis Enrique said. “It’s incredibly unfair that he has faced such criticism.”

Former Real Madrid and Spain captain Sergio Ramos also extended his support to Díaz, encouraging him to stay resilient: “Keep your head held high, brother. Football always offers chances for redemption, and you have given us so much more than what was lost today…”

In the aftermath, Díaz took to Instagram to express his remorse for not being able to help Morocco achieve their long-awaited AFCON title. He stated, “Thank you for all the love and support that made me feel I wasn’t alone. I fought with everything I had. I accept full responsibility for my failure, and I sincerely apologize. This wound will take time to heal, but I will strive to make my supporters proud and to repay their faith in me.”

Díaz’s five goals during the tournament earned him the Golden Boot, highlighting his significant contributions despite the final outcome.