Real Madrid is a team of superstars, but often what has enabled them to play at their best over the years are the role players behind them who raise the floor of the entire side. Nacho Fernandez, Lucas Vazquez, and even Dani Ceballos have become crucial over the years in Champions League winning campaigns for their ability to play up to the levels of the best players in the squad when it is all on the line.
Quietly, Brahim Diaz was that guy for Real Madrid in the attack during the 2023/24 season. His return to the Blancos first team ranks was overshadowed by two other big attacking midfield signings that summer in Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler, but his clutch goal contributions were instrumental in Real Madrid cleaning up the trophy cabinet again that season.
Brahim faded and struggled in the 2024/25 campaign, but, quietly, like so many others, he has benefited from the Alvaro Arbeloa appointment and is, once again, making important contributions to Madrid. He was sensational against his former employers, Manchester City, in the previous round of the Champions League knockouts.
Brahim Diaz is starting to cook
Arbeloa has certainly taken notice of the fine work Brahim is doing for the Real Madrid attack, and at the press conference before the La Liga battle against Mallorca, he affirmed that the former AC Milaln man will play a big role this season as the campaign heats up.
The former Real Madrid right back said of his attacking midfielder and right winger, via the Madrid Zone, "I am very happy with Brahim, he has played at a high level and he will have a lot of minutes this season. He is really important and has earned it. He's capable of making the difference off the bench."
So far this season, the 26 year old Moroccan international has registered four assists in La Liga. He has made just six starts in the league and three more in the Champions League, and it has been, overall, as quiet of a campaign as the 2024/25 season was.
But Brahim Diaz is showing that he has a place in the Real Madrid rotation. There is something about his technical quality, two footedness, and ability to be in the right place at the right time that makes him a nifty X-Factor and a change of pace from the uber athletic superstars like Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Kylian Mbappe. And with Rodrygo Goes done with an ACL tear, Brahim is primed to step up.