Real Madrid attacker Brahim Diaz has said his soul "hurts" after he missed a penalty in Morocco's 1-0 loss to Senegal in the African Cup of Nations final. The attacking midfielder finished the tournament as top scorer but was left heartbroken after a controversial final.
Diaz won a penalty in contentious fashion right at the death of normal time when he went down in the box. The referee watched the incident on the pitchside monitor and pointed to the spot, much to the anger of the Senegalese players and coaching staff.
Senegal manager Pape Thiaw brought his players off the pitch and down the tunnel in protest over the decision. They eventually returned to the field and Diaz stepped up to take his penalty after over a 10 minute wait.
Diaz dinked the ball straight at goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and that proved to be the final action before extra-time. He was visibly distraught and was quickly subbed off in the first half of the following 30 minutes.
Diaz pens emotional response to missed penalty
Papa Gueye then scored a stunning strike which won the game for Senegal and meant Diaz's Morocco finished runners up. This came on home soil for the Madrid star and many questioned whether he purposefully attempted a tame spot kick.
Diaz has now opened up on his feelings following the final defeat with a message on his Instagram account. He wrote:
“My soul hurts. I dreamed of this title because of all the love you guys have given me, every message, every show of support that made me feel like I wasn't alone. I fought with everything I had, with my heart above all.
Yesterday I failed and I take all responsibility and apologize from all my heart.
It will be hard for me to recover, because this wound does not heal easily, but I will try. Not because of me, but for all who believed in me and for all 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.”
Diaz impressed during AFCON, managing five goals in seven games. He scored the winner in a 1-0 victory against Tanzania in the last 16 but has taken the blame for Morocco's defeat to Senegal.
Real Madrid need to comfort Brahim Diaz
Given that Diaz's penalty miss came in his homeland and with the weight of expectations of millions of Moroccans ready to celebrate an AFCON win he will undoubtedly be feeling like he let his country down. But they need to remember that he was the reason they made it to the final, not only finishing as top scorer but scoring the winner in the Round of 16.
🚨 Brahim Díaz apologised to the entire Morocco squad in the dressing room before breaking down in tears.
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) January 19, 2026
Some of the team's executives are said to be furious and have yet to forgive him, with the squad left shattered and confused by the situation.
(Source: @DZfoot) pic.twitter.com/yEfLLJOCQY
Diaz returns to Madrid where the mood isn't exactly sky high following a Supercopa de Espana final defeat to Barcelona and a shock loss to Albacete in the Copa del Rey. But a win over Levante has helped improve the siutation which also comes after Xabi Alonso's dismissal.
The 26-year-old was away at AFCON when Alonso parted ways with Los Blancos last week. He returns with Alvaro Arbeloa at the helm and it will be crucial the caretaker manager and experienced players console the Moroccan star.