Morocco star Brahim Diaz has shared an emotional message following the Atlas Lions’ heartbreaking defeat to Senegal in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
Senegal edged Morocco 1-0 to lift the trophy, but the decisive moments of the final centred on Diaz, who missed a crucial penalty in the 114th minute with the score still level. The missed opportunity proved costly, as Pape Gueye later struck the winning goal for Senegal in the first period of extra time.
In the aftermath of the final, the Real Madrid forward took to Instagram to apologise to the Moroccan people and express his deep sense of pain over the missed chance.
“My soul hurts. I dreamed of this title thanks to all the love you gave me, for every message, for every support that made me feel I wasn’t alone. I fought with everything I had, with my heart first,” he said.
He went on to take full responsibility for the moment that altered the course of the final.
“I failed yesterday, and I take full responsibility, and I apologise from the bottom of my heart.”
Diaz admitted that recovering from the disappointment will not be easy, describing the emotional toll of the defeat.
“It will be difficult for me to get up, because this wound will not heal easily, but I will try. Not for myself, but for everyone who believed in me, and for everyone who suffered with me,” the forward noted.
Despite the pain, the Moroccan international insisted he remains determined to move forward and repay the faith shown in him.
“I will move forward until one day I can repay all this love to you and be a source of pride for the Moroccan people. Long live Morocco,” he added.
Despite the final disappointment, Diaz enjoyed an impressive tournament, finishing as the top scorer of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with five goals and claiming the Golden Boot award.
