Moroccan international Brahim Diaz returned to training with Real Madrid on Thursday, still visibly affected by Morocco’s painful defeat to Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations final.
The forward appeared with sad, subdued features, as the emotional scars of missing the decisive late penalty in the shootout continue to weigh heavily on him.
Diaz is described as still living under the psychological shock of that moment, which denied Morocco a long-awaited continental crown. Aware of how hard the blow has hit him, his Real Madrid teammates, including the club’s biggest stars, surrounded him during the session, offering a warm welcome and special attention in a collective effort to lift his spirits.
The squad’s reaction was aimed at pulling the “golden boy” out of the shell of disappointment that has followed him since leaving Rabat after the final. Their gestures underlined the strong dressing-room support structure around him in Madrid, where the club wants him to quickly regain confidence and joy on the pitch.
Diaz now has a significant opportunity to relaunch his career with Real Madrid after his standout displays at AFCON in Morocco. This new chapter coincides with Álvaro Arbeloa taking over the team from Xabi Alonso, a change that could work in Diaz’s favor after feeling marginalized for months under the previous coach.
With his club environment rallying around him and a fresh technical direction in place, Diaz stands at a crossroads where he can transform the nightmare of the final into fuel for a strong comeback.
The coming weeks may determine how quickly he turns continental heartbreak into renewed momentum at one of the world’s biggest clubs.
