Football - Brahim Diaz's timely return?
Brahim Diaz has a very strong mind. The Moroccan international right winger did not let himself be defeated by the missed penalty in the final of the AFCON 2025 against Senegal. More than two months after this sad episode, the Real Madrid player is back in top form. He has been delivering great performances for a few weeks and is getting stronger.
Philemon MBALE · Author profile ·
Listen to this story
Audio version in preparation · read aloud by your browser meanwhile
Five consecutive starts for Real Madrid
The misfortune of some, makes others happy. Kylian Mbappé’s knee injury allowed Brahim Diaz to have playing time. Better still, he made 5 consecutive starts with very convincing performances.
Since his entry into play in the 88th minute against Getafe in La Liga, the Moroccan right wing has not started a match on the bench. Over the matches, the Lion of the Atlas has risen to the level with a constant presence in the offensive sector. Physically fit and technically above average, he was a real ordeal for the opposing defenses. If he only delivered one assist during the last 5 starts, he was valuable in the game.
The figures are revealing of the current peak shape reached by Diaz. Against Atlético Madrid during the derby last Sunday at the Bernabéu, the Moroccan is responsible for 2 key passes, 94% of successful passes, 92% of successful passes in the opposing half of the field, 2 recoveries, 4 duels won out of 9. He also caused a penalty. Well before this meeting, the 26-year-old player was outstanding against the Cityzens in the eighth final match return at the Etihad Stadium. The native of Malaga shone with his 2 key passes, 97% of passes passed (28/29), 95% of passes passed (19/20) in the last third of the opposition, 3 recoveries, 2 duels won out of 8.
A return in shape at the best moment
The rise of Brahim Diaz is excellent news for Morocco. The Moroccan selection will go to the 2026 World Cup with big ambitions. After the semi-finals in 2022 in Qatar, the Atlas Lions are dreaming big now. As a result, they will need all their strength to perform in the United States.
Less than three months before the start of the 2026 World Cup (June 11 - July 19), Brahim Diaz has regained all his sensations. Better, he plays games with Real Madrid. Which was rare. Mohamed Ouahbi, the new coach of Morocco, will certainly bet on the left-hander. The fact that he regularly plays in club matches is a real bonus for the Atlas Lions. The 26-year-old player will be physically ready for the March regrouping and a little further for the 2026 World Cup.
For the March break, Morocco will play two friendly matches. The Atlas Lions will face Ecuador (March 27, at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid) and Paraguay (March 31, in Lens in France).