Walid Regragui has lavished praise on the Real Madrid player ahead of the AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal
Brahim Díaz has become one of the defining figures of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, delivering goals and consistency for Morocco. With five goals, more than any other player at the tournament so far, Brahim has turned himself into an important cog in Walid Regragui’s well-oiled machine.
Thirteen goals in 21 appearances for Morocco underline how quickly he has adapted and how decisively he has made himself indispensable.
At club level with Real Madrid, Brahim’s career has rarely offered certainty. He has been trusted as an impact substitute, effective and influential, but rarely first choice week after week.
Regragui believes Díaz can thrive
Competition explains much of that reality. In the areas where Brahim is most dangerous, drifting inside from wide positions or operating just off a striker, the list of alternatives is relentless.
Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, Arda Güler, Rodrygo, Franco Mastantuono and Federico Valverde all fight for similar spaces. Staying close to the front of that queue requires constant output and patience.
For Morocco head coach Walid Regragui, Díaz has what it takes to become the best forward in the world.
“He’s got a self-belief, a bit of ego, if you like,” Regragui said. “Because he wouldn’t have become a Real Madrid player and reached the level he has without that. But he’s also got the humility to listen, and his humility helps him to recognise that, to succeed, he has first and foremost to serve the team as a whole.
“I know what he is capable of and thought that he could be producing more. He understands that the closer he is to the opposition penalty area the better he will show his talent.
“He has to take fewer risks when he’s further back because losing the ball puts us in danger. What has pleased me is not just that he has been scoring goals but that his mentality has developed. He battles, he chases, he protects the ball. He can become the best in the world if he pushes at it.”
In 12 LaLiga games so far this season, Díaz may have yet to find the back of the net, but he has recorded two assists. His only goal for Real Madrid this term came in a 5-0 victory away at Kairat Almaty back in late September.