Brahim Díaz has issued an emotional apology to Moroccan fans after missing a late penalty in the AFCON final, a moment that proved decisive as Senegal went on to claim a 1-0 victory in extra time.
The missed spot-kick proved to be a turning point in a tense final, with Morocco left devastated after coming agonisingly close to continental glory before Senegal struck in extra time.
The Real Madrid forward took to his official X handle to address supporters following the painful defeat, taking full responsibility for the miss that denied Morocco a chance to lift the trophy.
In a deeply personal message, Díaz wrote:
My soul hurts. I dreamed of this title thanks to all the love you’ve given me, to every message, to every show of support that made me feel I wasn’t alone. I fought with everything I had, with my heart above all.
Yesterday I failed, and I take full responsibility, and I apologize from the bottom of my heart.
It will be hard for me to recover, because this wound doesn’t heal easily, but I’ll try. Not for myself, but for everyone who believed in me and for everyone who suffered with me.
I will keep moving forward until one day I can return all this love to you and be a source of pride for my Moroccan people.
#AlwaysMorocco 🇲🇦🦁❤️
Despite the heartbreaking ending, Díaz was one of Morocco’s standout performers throughout the tournament. He scored in all three group-stage matches and finished the competition with five goals, performances that earned him the AFCON 2025 Golden Boot, as softfootball confirmed following the release of the official individual awards list.
The Moroccan star narrowly missed out on the Golden Ball, which went to Senegal captain Sadio Mané, but Díaz’s decision to publicly accept responsibility has drawn widespread attention and respect.
The missed penalty has sparked debate in some quarters, with unfounded claims circulating online about the nature of the miss. However, Díaz’s statement was clear, direct, and reflective, underlining accountability rather than deflection.
While the final will be remembered for the missed opportunity, Díaz’s overall contribution to Morocco’s AFCON campaign and his willingness to face the moment head-on may ultimately define how his tournament is remembered by fans back home.
