Real Madrid and Morocco winger Brahim Diaz has apologised to fans after missing a crucial penalty in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Senegal, a moment that proved decisive in Morocco’s defeat.
Diaz, who took responsibility for the spot kick during the final, expressed his disappointment in an emotional message shared on Monday.
“My soul hurts. I dreamed of this title thanks to all the love you all gave me – every message, every show of support that made me feel I wasn’t alone,” Diaz wrote. “I fought with everything I had, with my heart above all else.”
The winger accepted full responsibility for the missed penalty, offering an apology to supporters.
“Yesterday I failed and I take full responsibility. I apologise from the bottom of my heart,” he said.
Diaz admitted that the setback was difficult to process, describing it as a painful experience, but stressed his resolve to move forward.
“I will keep going forward until one day I can give you all this love back and become a source of pride for my Moroccan people,” he added.
The missed penalty capped a dramatic AFCON final and denied Morocco a chance to lift the continental title, despite strong support from fans throughout the tournament
